Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: only the OC is mine.  All other toys in this here ficcie aren’t mine, so no suing sank you!

Warnings: AU, OC, will be lots of sap, angst, dark, yaoi, het, language….eventually other stuff as I go….

Rating: from PG-13-NC-17 (am famous for those)

Pairings: eh….well…nothing other than the guys being somewhat friends…

Note: well, this will prolly go over a few episodes and such, just to kinda of keep things together. Special note goes to a review I had received.  My apologies for my harshness.  And as I have said before, this is based mainly on YST (the Japanese version).  But, there may be some mingling of Ronins, since that is currently all I have for the series (am working on getting the dvds! ^_^).

Feedback: much loved thanks!

‘thoughts’

/telepathic speech/

Genaisa moaned softly as she came back to consciousness, opening her eyes to find herself in a peaceful field, surrounded by softly blowing grass and flowers.  She sat up slowly. ‘Where am I?’ she wondered as she rubbed her head weakly. ‘The last thing I remember is…’ “Oh god…the Troopers,” she whispered softly, realization dawning on her as she remembered the tornado of evil gathering them up and sending them out in a blast of power.  She closed her eyes and focused, then breathed a sigh of relief.  They were all still alive, but asleep.  Deeply asleep.  She frowned as she opened her eyes again, and then looked up as the soft chime of the Staff of Kaos floated to her on the gentle breeze.  She got up, and then knelt down, not looking at Kaos as he approached her.

“My child, you have awakened finally,” Kaos said kindly and Genaisa frowned.

She looked up at him and replied, “I failed you, Kaos.  The Troopers are now all in a deep trance and Arago is winning.”

Kaos stared down at her, and then a soft smile played on his lips.  He gestured for her to stand and responded, “No, Arago is not winning for the Troopers may still save this realm.  You must start the process first though.”

She stood slowly and stared at him in confusion. “But…how?” she asked and he smiled at her again as he walked away slowly.

“My child. Find Ryo no Rekka and you will know what to do,” he instructed as he disappeared.

She frowned softly and then looked around her. ‘I wonder why I ended up here,’ she thought to herself, and then sighed again.  She closed her eyes and concentrated on Ryo’s link with her yoroi.  Amazingly, it was a very strong link, which made her wonder. She shrugged and then concentrated.  A soft pearly white glow surrounded her and she disappeared from the peaceful field and found herself next to a smoking volcano opening.  She looked down, and then looked up as a distant roar floated to her.  She smiled and walked over to meet Byakuen as he trotted up. “Byakuen.  You’re safe,” she whispered softly, assured as he snuggled closer to her.

/I was so worried, Genaisa.  All of you disappeared.  Is Ryo down there?/ he asked her softly, looking down into the smoking pit. 

“Hai, he’s down there.  They are all trapped in a deep sleep, Byakuen.  Once Ryo is awake, he must go and search for the others.  He can not do this himself,” she replied softly and he looked up at her.  She looked at him and knelt down next to him. “Are the boy and woman still alright?” she asked and he nodded once. “Good.  They will be useful.  Go and get them.  I will revive Rekka no Ryo,” she stated softly and he nodded again before turning and running off for the city.  Genaisa smiled as she watched Byakuen’s retreating form, and then looked back down at the smoldering volcano.  Kneeling onto one knee, she looked down and stared for a minute. ‘Ryo is down there.  So…how am I supposed to wake him up?  I don’t even know how I woke up!’ she thought in frustration, and then sighed softly.  Closing her eyes and letting instinct take over, she began a chant.

“Ryo no Rekka, hear my call!  The Time is near and Darkness falls!  Awaken now, ye fighter for the Light!  Let Truth be your heart and Benevolence your might!”  As she spoke, a golden glow surrounded her and the kanji of Ai glowed bright gold on her forehead.

Ryo stirred and moaned softly in his bed of lava.  Opening his eyes slowly, he felt his armor hum through his spirit, awakening him slowly. ‘Jin.’ “Where….where am I?” he found himself asking softly as he slowly sat up.  He had felt someone calling him, pulling him from the depths of a deep sleep, but there was no one around.  Groaning as he stumbled to his feet, he looked around. “A volcano? What happened? How did I end up here?” he asked himself softly as he looked up the walls.  At the top, he saw a golden figure watching him. ‘Koganeiro Samurai?’ he thought questioningly and felt a reassuring touch to his mind from the other warrior.  ‘If he’s safe…then the others must be safe as well.’  He frowned then as he thought of something else.  ‘Did he just….touch my mind? What is going on?’ He looked up again, and then sighed softly. “Well, only one way to find out,” he decided determinedly and started to climb up the melted walls of his safe haven.

*~~**~~*

Nasuti stretched and yawned as she got up from the makeshift bed that she had been sharing with the young Jun.  Jun stretched as well, mumbling softly as he turned over and opened sleepy eyes.  She smiled at him. “Hey there.  Sleep ok?” she asked softly and he nodded as he leaned up onto his elbows.  They both looked around, and then a glinting light caught their attention. 

“Hey! It’s Ryo’s sword!” Jun cried excitedly as Nasuti picked up the blade in wonder.  Suddenly, a loud crashing behind them startled them and they turned to see a building collapse where they had been sleeping not two minutes earlier.  They stared in mute horror, and then looked at the blade that Nasuti held.

‘Could Ryo still be protecting us?  Oh Ryo, I just hope you and the others can still save us,’ Nasuti thought in worry as she stared at the blade.  Suddenly, they heard a roar and looked up. “Byakuen?” Nasuti called out and the white tiger ran over to them. He gently wrapped his powerful jaws around the woman’s arm and pulled on it, trying to direct her.  Nasuti blinked as she stared at Byakuen not comprehending then gasped. “Byakuen…have you found Ryo?” she asked hopefully and Byakuen let her arm go and roared softly.  “Quickly, take us to Ryo!” she asked and she got onto his back.  Jun grabbed the tiger’s tail and got onto his skateboard and was pulled along by the determined white tiger.

They ran for a few minutes, and then the sound of pursuit drifted towards them.  Gasping softly in fear, Nasuti looked back to see soldiers in chariots heading for them, Shuten in the lead chariot.  Arrows began to fly at them, causing Jun to cry out in fear.  Nasuti tried to block what arrows she could with Ryo’s katana and shouted out pleadingly, “Yamero! Onegai!”

Shuten just laughed cruelly as he brought his kusari gama up and shouted, “Die!!”  But before he could throw the weapon at the three fleeing people, a loud clanging filled the air.  Looking up, Shuten saw the monk from the other day as he hurled his staff between the two groups.  A bright flash of light struck out and created a gap in the ground.

Nasuti looked over to where the chasm of earth was and took a shaky breath. Jun looked at her and asked, “Are they gone?  Who saved us?” 

Nasuti smiled reassuringly at Jun and replied, “I don’t know, but we owe them our lives.”  Byakuen growled softly then looked over.  Nasuti followed the tiger’s gaze and gasped softly in delight.  There, just outside the city, were the cars that had died.  She ran over to her jeep and crossed her fingers as she turned the key.  A reassuring rumble met their ears and the jeep started up smoothly.  “Yes! Let’s go, Jun!” she cried in excitement and they drove off, following the white tiger.

*~~**~~*

Ryo grunted as he climbed slowly up the walls of the volcano. ‘Almost there…just a little bit more…’ he kept urging himself as he climbed.  He sighed in relief as he reached the top, but a sinister laugh greeted him. “What huh?! Shuten!” Ryo cried out in surprise and the Masho laughed again.

“Well, well, Trooper.  Looks like you came all this way to die again!  Have a nice trip!” Shuten responded cruelly as he cut away at the stone that Ryo was holding onto.  Ryo cried out as he dodged the fast moving attacks, and then looked up as Shuten made a final strike downwards.  Hearing a roar, Ryo looked over to see Byakuen flying towards him with his katana clenched tightly in the powerful jaws. 

Ryo jumped free at the last second then flew over towards Byakuen.  “Byakuen!” he cried out, then reached for the sword as they passed, slicing them through the air. Shuten growled as he blocked the swift attacks Ryo struck out with, then lashed out with his kusari as Ryo jumped back.  Looking over as he heard Nasuti and Jun call him, Ryo cried out in surprised worry, “Nasuti! Jun! What are you doing here?!”

Shuten laughed evilly as he shouted, “Time to die!”  Striking out with his spear, he knocked Ryo off and cackled as the holder of Rekka plunged into the volcano.

“RYO!!!” Nasuti cried out as the youth disappeared into the molten lava.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa frowned, and then smirked as the volcano showed the true power of Rekka, exploding in a shower of fire and lava.  ‘Shuten…you don’t know what you’re getting into,’ she thought in amusement as she watched the battle.  At one point, she was worried about the boy and the young woman, but Ryo had saved them easily.  Unfortunately, he left himself open to a counterattack by Shuten.  She tensed as she watched Ryo get thrown around, smashing into rock and boulders painfully.  She growled softly, and then closed her eyes. /Listen to me, Ryo no Rekka.  When he lets you loose, grab the chain,/ she sent to him, then her hand glowed softly, loosening the chain around the Trooper as he acknowledged her help. 

As Shuten tossed the unmoving boy into the volcano, Ryo turned in midair and grabbed the chain.  Genaisa smirked again as she saw them disappear into the volcano.  She placed a protective, yet invisible shield around the boy and the woman, and then watched as the volcano erupted and sent the Masho back to the Youjakai.

She looked over and smiled softly as Kaos came up beside her and they watched the four figures.  “Good.  He now knows his next task,” Kaos said softly and Genaisa nodded.  Looking at her, he instructed, “Be sure to follow them and help as best you can.  Don’t overstrain yourself.” She smiled at him and nodded once, then turned and walked away.  He watched her, then turned back and watched the group.

*~~**~~*

Ryo sighed softly as he leaned his head back against the car seat of Nasuti’s jeep.  ‘A lot happened.  But…how was that guy able to communicate with me through my head?  And I felt him…through my yoroi.  Will I be able to sense the other guys the same way? And why didn’t he help out more?  Hehe…maybe because I didn’t really need his help,’ Ryo contemplated silently as they rode along, heading for Shinjuku University to see Nasuti’s grandfather.

“Stop the car! We have to stop!” Jun shouted as he sat up frantically in the back seat of the jeep.

“Jun, what is it? What’s wrong?” Ryo asked, startled as he glanced back at the boy.

“My house is near here! My mom and dad are probably home!” Jun replied frantically.

Ryo sighed softly. “Jun, they were captured by the Youja.  They won’t be home,” he said gently.

Jun glared at him. “You lie! My mom and dad can run real fast! We have to see!” Jun cried assuredly and Nasuti sighed softly.

“Alright…we’ll stop,” she replied soothingly, then followed the young boy’s directions to his house. They parked outside of it and followed Jun as he ran to the door and let himself in.

“Okaasan! Otousan! I’m hoooome!” Jun cried out as he ran through the house.  Frowning, he searched through the house until he came to his mother’s little sunroom.  He stared quietly at the collection of dying plants, remembering how his mother had always wanted a room with plants and flowers.  And how she said she was going to take care of them.  Eyes blurring with tears as the realization that his parents weren’t here and safe, Jun looked at the plant he had picked up.  He looked up as he felt a hand on his shoulder and Nasuti smiled gently at him.

“Don’t worry, Jun. We’ll get your parents back,” she said gently and Jun nodded, and then wiped his arm across his face.

“I’m going to help you fight the youja!” Jun declared firmly as he put the plant down.  Ryo nodded and smirked as Nasuti smiled as well.  Jun went over to the plant stand and picked up the watering can, then started to water the plants.

“Uh, it’s kinda useless watering plants that are dead?” Ryo asked in confusion and blinked as Nasuti shot him a dirty look.

“But my mom will be real happy that I took care of her plants for her,” Jun replied softly as he carefully watered them.  He blinked, and then gasped in surprise as a soft pearly white glow surrounded all of the plants and they slowly perked up and became green once more. 

Ryo stepped forward and asked in shock, “How in the…what’s happening?” He looked at Nasuti, who was just as confused as they watched the plants come back to life.  Jun smiled happily as he set the watering can down.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa smiled as she stood outside the boy’s house, watching the three as Byakuen stood next to her, cuddling into her scratching fingers.  She lifted a hand and it glowed briefly. Byakuen looked up at her and asked, /What are you doing, Genaisa?/

“Giving them some hope,” she replied softly, and then smiled again as she felt the young boy’s delight at the restored plants.  She knelt down and nuzzled into the big cat’s neck, then added softly, “I’ll meet you at Shinjuku University, alright?”  Byakuen nodded and purred then watched as she disappeared in a pearly glow. 

Looking over as Ryo and the other two came out of the house, Byakuen got up and they headed for Shinjuku University…to see Nasuti’s grandfather.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa watched silently as the three drove up to the building. She felt on edge as she watched them go into the main doorway. ‘Something’s really wrong.  But what is it?’ she thought to herself.  Suddenly, she saw that there was a battle going on in one of the offices.  But, before she could help out, she saw that it was taken care of….but with a cost.

Her heart went out to the young woman Nasuti as she watched her grandfather die.  She wrapped her arms around her waist and sighed softly, feeling a tear trickle down her cheek as she felt the sorrow and grief from the girl.  Suddenly, she looked up and frowned. She saw Byakuen as he ran across the courtyard, then saw the Masho on top of the roof. Smirking, she called on her yoroi and went up to the roof.  “Naaza, I presume.  So, want to tell us why you are lurking here where snakes aren’t wanted?” she asked dangerously as she stood beside Byakuen.

Naaza smirked and snorted. “Well well, if it isn’t one of the Trooper whelps.  How did you sniff me out?” he asked softly as he took one of his six katanas out and brandished it.

Crossing her arms, Genaisa chuckled. “I could smell your stench from a mile away, Naaza,” she commented rudely and Byakuen growled.

Chuckling evilly, Naaza drew out another sword. “Well, then I guess I shall have to skin you both!” he declared, then a blast of venom flew from him and hit the two.

Genaisa grunted in pain as she was flung back by the blast.  “Byakuen!” she cried out as she stood up. Byakuen leapt at the Masho with a snarl then was blasted back again.  Genaisa snarled to herself, but then smirked.  ‘Time for Ryo to have some fun.  Too bad….the snake will get it later,’ she thought to herself as she vanished before Ryo could see her.

She watched from a distance as Ryo battled Naaza, defeating him with his own trick.  Smirking, she followed them from the shadows and watched the sun go down with them.  Byakuen came up beside her, purring softly in pleasure as she began her scratches in his fur once more.  /So where to now, Byakuen?/ she asked him as she watched the group.

/Akidoshi Plateau.  That is what the female Nasuti said,/ he replied in a long purr as she scratched an especially itchy spot.

/Souka.  And there…the light shall be reborn,/ she confirmed softly as she watched the others return to the jeep to begin the long journey to Akidoshi Plateau.

TBC