It was just your average day in the Koji mansion. Everything was nice and peaceful around the household ever since the fall of the Dynasty, the way Mia liked things. The guys deserved a long break away from battle and did take advantage of the serenity. They were thrilled to be able to participate in ordinary everyday teenage activities again and not have to worry about invading demons. Though things had settled down a bit, they never let their guards down and always practiced by sparring with each other in their sub-armors to keep their senses and fighting skills razor-sharp just in case of any danger.

Mia surveyed the scene in the immense den and smiled. Kento and Ryo were playing a video game, Rowen was curled up near the fireplace in his favorite chair reading the latest Stephen King novel, Sage was sprawled over the couch listening to a CD in his Discman with his eyes closed, and Cye was kneeling in front of the large fish tank watching the fish and making funny fish faces at all the fish. She was glad that they had all decided to stay here and live with her after things settled down and normal life began again for all of them. The six, seven if you included White Blaze, of them were almost like a family now; Mia would be lonely in this big mansion all by herself without the guys and White Blaze. An enraged Kento, who had apparently gotten defeated by Ryo for what seemed like the tenth time that day, broke the tranquility of the moment abruptly.

“Damn it!” he yelped, “How the heck do you keep on winning? My sure-kill move should have finished you!”

Ryo chuckled lightly, “Maybe because I play the game more often than you and know what to expect from each fighter.”

Kento groaned and pulled out the game cartridge, replacing it with another. “Fine, then we’ll play something I’M good at.”

Ryo smirked, “Bring it on Dough Boy.”

“How many times do I have to tell you NOT to call me that!” Kento growled.

“Just shut up and play.” Ryo replied.

“Yeah, really.” Rowen said from his chair, “I’m TRYIN’ to read here.”

“Stay out of it Ro.” Kento muttered.

Mia sighed, this was her cue to step in and stop the guys from brawling. She didn’t understand why the guys couldn’t resolve matters themselves, “Alright guys settle down.”

“But Mia!” Kento said in a whiney voice.

“Cool it Kento.” Mia snapped, “No one, and I mean NO ONE will have an argument today okay?” “Yes mother.” Kento muttered sarcastically.

Mia huffed, “Well, from the looks of things, none of you act mature enough to resolve things yourselves so I always have to step in. Excuse me if I want a little peace every now and then.” Now a tad angry, she walked upstairs, passing White Blaze who was on his way down the stairs, sauntering towards Ryo.

Sage had been listening in on the trivial commotion and grumbled, “Great Ken, way to go. You just pissed her off.” He stood up and made his way upstairs to see about Mia.

“It’s not like I meant to.” Kento stated.

Well, Kento, you know how sensitive she’s been lately.” Cye quipped in, hands in pockets and now facing the guys.

“I think I know why.” Ryo said in a soft tone.

“Why?” Kento asked.

“Around this month last year we were fighting against Anubis and the others remember?” Ryo asked. Rowen, Kento, and Cye nodded, “Well, it was around this month that her grandfather was killed after a nether spirit under Sekhmet’s command possessed Mia’s grandfather’s body…”

“I knew that he had died,” Rowen stated, “but I didn’t know that was the reason why.”

“The rest of you guys weren’t there. It was after we were split up and placed within our own elements. I don’t think Mia has ever forgiven Sekhmet for that.”

“Who would anyway?” Kento asked.

“Come on Ken, Sekhmet couldn’t really control his actions you know. Talpa had manipulated him and the others.” Cye said, defending the ex Warlord.

“I guess you’re right.” Kento agreed.

Rowen spotted something out of the corner of his eye and turned to look out the window. It was a colorful unearthly display of three colors: teal, gold, and orange. They were heading straight for the ground near the house. “Um…you guys, something’s up outside.”

“What do you mean, Ro?” Ryo asked, “A new enemy?”

“Possibly,” answered the warrior of Strata, “But…I’m not quite sure. I saw something weird just practically crash outside.”

“I didn’t hear anything.” Cye stated.

“Let’s go check it out.” Volunteered Kento, “Think we’ll need our sub-armor on?”

“It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.” Ryo said, “You three go on ahead, I’ll get Sage and we’ll meet you there.”

Kento, Cye, and Rowen nodded, called forth their sub-armors, and headed out the door with White Blaze in tow.

Ryo walked up to Mia’s bedroom. The door was closed but, as he found, not locked. Being polite, he knocked anyway. Sage opened the door.

“Sage, we’ve got to join the others outside. Rowen spotted something out of the ordinary land nearby.” Ryo informed him.

Sage nodded, “Think it’d be safe enough for Mia?”

“You know I’m going regardless of my safety, I have faith in you guys.” Came a soft voice behind Sage.

Sage turned to face Mia and smiled, “Alright. How about a piggy-back ride there then?” Mia nodded and hopped onto Sage’s back, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding onto his shoulders for support.

The three proceeded outside to where a baffled Cye, Kento, and Rowen were standing around three females. These females, who were lying on their backs in the grass apparently unconscious, had their own unique auras glowing around them. One of the females was enveloped in a teal aura. She looked to be in her late teens with sapphire hair highlighted with streaks of jade that was shoulder length and she had very wild bangs that hung in her face, some strands hung over the pair of oval glasses she wore. She was dressed in a blue camouflage tank and black jeans. The girl beside her, surrounded by an orange aura, had long wavy auburn hair tinted with streaks of scarlet. Light freckles adorned her cheeks. This female wore a pink t-shirt with the word ‘Angel’, written with red jewels, across the front of it and white shorts. The last female was enclosed by a golden aura. Her hair was coffee in color with ruby tinted highlights. She was dressed in a black baby tee adorned with a giant banana and dark indigo bell-bottoms.

Sage loosened his hold on Mia and she slid off of his back, stunned at the site before her eyes, “Are…they alright?” she asked, concerned.

Rowen nodded, “Yeah, they’ll be fine. We need to get them inside though. It looks like it might rain.”

Cye turned his eyes upward to the approaching storm clouds, “It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a decent rain fall. The lakes in the area have begun to dry up.”

Kento smirked and he lifted the female with the sapphire hair, “What a typical comment coming from you Cye.”

“How do you think these three got here?” Ryo asked as he kneeled down and picked up the female wearing the banana baby tee.

“No clue.” Rowen answered, “I just hope they’re on our side.”

Sage laughed. “They don’t look like they can even hurt a fly.” He lightly ran a finger down the auburn haired female’s nose. He was surprised when she reacted by scrunching it up. He lifted her gingerly and held her in his arms.

Mia shook her head, “Such a flirt…even when the poor thing’s out cold.”

“Huh?” Sage asked.

“You mean you don’t realize when your doing it?” Mia asked him.

“Doing what?” Sage asked her, still completely in the dark.

Cye grinned, “He’s done it so much that it’s like a second nature to him.”

The group began to make their way back to the house just as droplets of rain began to fall from the heavens above. The brunette stirred as rain hit her forehead. Her eyes opened slightly to reveal their bright green color and stare at Ryo, unknown to him. The girls mind was a haze and slowly things began to click as she realized who it was that was carrying her. She screamed. Ryo nearly dropped the ecstatic girl in surprise.

“You…you…you…” was all that the girl could get out.

Ryo smiled at her, “You and your friends had a pretty nasty fall back there. Are you alright?”

“F-Fine…” Her gaze never wavered though her vocal cords did a number as she looked up at him, “H-how’d I g-get here?”

Rowen chuckled, “We were about to ask you the same question.”

The girl turned to look at Rowen and then pinched herself, the pain told her that she was, in fact, not dreaming, “OW!” She rubbed the spot on her arm that was now throbbing with pain.

“Easy now,” Ryo said, “What’d you do that for? Can you stand?”

The moment the brunette nodded she regretted it because she had always wanted to be held by him this way. It was a dream come true for her. After Ryo had let her down, she had to hold onto him for support, otherwise she’d met into a huge giddy puddle.

They all made it the house safely, just a tad soaked from the rainfall. Ryo helped the brunette over to a recliner and she sat down. The other two girls were carried upstairs, each placed in a bed until they would wake up. Ryo kneeled in front of the chair to be at eye level with the girl, “What’s your name?”

“O-Oriana.” Said the girl.

“It’s nice to meet you Oriana. My name is Ryo.”

“I know…” she said, “I know who all of you are…”

This took Cye aback for a minute, “What do you mean you know who we all are?”

“You,” she said, pointing to Cye, “Are Cye Mouri.” She pointed to each of the Ronins in turn and said who they were.

“Incredible.” Sage said, “How do you know us?”

“Um…” Oriana blushed, “That’s kinda hard to explain…”

“We’ve got all the time in the world.” Ryo said, smiling.

“Where I come from…you guys are part of an anime show…on TV.”

This sent the Ronins and Mia into shock, Mia broke the silence, “How did you get here and why are you here?”

“I’m just as clueless as you are. But I won’t question it. This is wonderful!”

Oriana grinned, “A dream come true.” White Blaze walked over to her and sniffed at her, Oriana just giggled and petted the huge tiger on the head, much to the surprise of everyone else.

A figure emerged on the staircase, rubbing her lilac colored eyes sleepily. She glanced around the room and soon her eyes were as wide as saucers as things began to register in her mind. As if in cue, she fainted. If not for Kento, the sapphire headed girl would have smacked her face on the hardwood floor. He pulled her over to the couch and laid her down, her head resting on one of the cushions.

Oriana stood up and fanned the girl with a magazine she found on the floor “Maybe she won’t go ‘lights out’ on us again if she wakes up and sees me instead of you guys next time.”

“That’s smart thinking.” Mia complemented.

Oriana shook the other girl lightly, “Hey wake up.”

The girl stirred and looked up at Oriana, “Who’re you?”

Oriana grinned, “I’m Oriana! And you are…?”

“Tamara…” said the girl wearily, “Where am I? Wait…wait a minute…Oriana from…” Oriana nodded, “Ronin Mania, yes that’s right. And Tamara-" “Call me TK.”

“Okay, TK, you, me, and someone else are, in fact, in Japan right now with the Ronin Warriors. Don’t ask me how…but it’s incredibly true.”

Tamara stood up super fast and swept her eyes across the room, nearly fainting again when her eyes fell upon Rowen, “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!” She screamed, doing a dance of joy.

The guys winced, what was it with girls and screaming?

Tamara was practically bouncing up and down, “So, who’s the other lucky girl?”

“I dunno!” Oriana answered, “Let’s go find out!”

“Wait a minute ladies.” Sage said stopping them, “Maybe it’d be wise if we let her wake up on her own. We don’t know if she is hurt or not.”

Tamara gave him her best sad puppy eyes, “But Oriana and I are okay. She should be fine too. And besides, she’s probably up there awake wondering where the heck she is.”

“Alright then, allow me to show you ladies the way.” Sage said in his usual flirty tone. He stepped between them and held out his arms for each woman to take a hold of as they made their way upstairs.

The rain made a relaxing melodious sound as it tapped lightly against the window in Sage’s bedroom, which overlooked the lake behind the house. The remaining female lay in peaceful slumber on the bed, her auburn hair fanned around her on the pillow. Grinning evilly, Oriana and Tamara each stood on opposite sides of the bed. Sage watched on while leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and one eyebrow raised. They shook the bed so violently that it jolted the sleeping girl out of her serene reverie. Apparently she was dreaming about a certain blonde haired blue-eyed boy band member because when she woke up…

“I LOVE YOU NICK CA-huh!?” she scanned the room with her brown eyes, spotting first Tamara and Oriana then Sage and back to Oriana and Tamara. ‘Wait a minute’ she thought looking back at Sage, ‘He looks so…familiar…’ Tamara blocked her field of vision suddenly.

“Hi! I’m TK! Who’re you?” Tamara said cheerfully.

“And I’m Oriana!” the brunette said, joining in, “Guess what! You’re in anime heaven!”

“Huh?” The drowsy girl replied, “I’m dead?”

Sage shook his head and sighed, “No, you’re not. You just had a nasty fall along with these two girls nearby. The guys and I were surprised you all even survived.”

“No…they must be right. I am dead, if I wasn’t then you wouldn’t be standing there…you’re…you’re Sage Date.”

Sage nodded and walked over to her, sitting down on the bed beside her, “That I am but believe me, you are alive as anyone could ever be.”

“Ain’t he a cutie?!” Oriana squealed and pinched Sage on the cheek.

“Hey! That hurt!” Sage yelped.

Oriana giggled, “So, whatcha gonna do ‘bout it blondie?”

Sage smirked, “For one thing I’m going to get you back for that.”

“Oh really?” Oriana challenged.

When Sage stood up and made a move toward her, Oriana bolted out of the room laughing. Sage wasn’t far behind her.

“So, what’s your name?” Tamara asked the girl.

“I’m Emi. Uh…by any chance are you a member of…”

“Ronin Mania?” Tamara finished for her and nodded, “Sure am!”

“This is tight!” Emi exclaimed, “Are there any more of us lurking about?”

“Nope. Not that I know of.”

Suddenly the two girls heard Oriana shriek from downstairs, “Hide me! Save me! Ryo! Halo’s peeved! No! Don’t! Stop tickling me Sage! AAAAHHHH!” Tamara and Emi burst into laughter and walked downstairs together to join the rest of the household and ponder how exactly they got there and why.

continued in next chapter...