Hi, it's me, Star Phoenix!  I'm hust here to introduce you to my fanfiction series and put the standard disclaimer.  The Ronin Warriors are not mine.  However, Amanda, Stephanie, Amy, and Misty are mine.  If you use them make sure you say that I created them, otherwise Misty will come and burn your house down.  Just kidding.  Anyway, send all your comments to me including flames.
( Ryo and Misty whisper in the background)
-Is she talking about us?
-Don't know, don't wanna know.  You know how twisted her mind is.

The Guardian Saga
Chapter 1
First Encounter

Ryo walked down the street.  He had promised Yuli that he would take him shopping today.  The boy had run Ryo ragged, dragging him from store to store.  Funny how a man who had gone up against Talpa and the Dynasty could be worn out by a ten year old boy.  Ryo smiled to himself.  He wouldn't have Yuli any other way.

Ryo kicked a small stone as his thoughts turned toward something that had been bothering him for some time now.  He was now 21 years old, in college, and he had no clue as to what he was going to do with his life.  Sure he was interested in sports, but that only lasted for so long and was not a sure thing.  He could easily be injured, like that time a few summers back when Kento had landed on him.

Thinking of his old friends always brought on a bittersweet feeling.  After Talpa's defeat, the five ex-Ronins stayed together as close friends.  But after high school graduation, the five were forced apart to make something of themselves.

Sai had gone to a cooking school to become a master chef.  Kento, of course, had gone with him and started studying to become a mechanic.

Rowen was now off studying to be an astronomer.  Sage had gone to a college to specialize in physical education since he was going to take over his father's dojo.

And here was Ryo, the great ex-leader of the Ronin Warriors, all alone with no purpose.  He didn't even have any family to fall back on during times like this.  Normally after taking Yuli around he would enjoy the company of Mia, but since she and Sage had started dating, it had become too painful to go there often.  He just had to make dure that no one found out that he had feelings for her.  However, he was getting over her.  Maybe he would find someone someday.

' I wish I could find my perfect match.  I'm tired of being alone.  Sai has his new girlfriend Amanda, Rowen has that living hurricane of a girl Stephanie, Kento has that sweet girl Amy, and of course, Sage has Mia.  Who am I left with.'  He ran his hand through his unruly black mane. ' I feel like there's a part of me missing and I . . .'

His thoughts were interupted by something moving at high speed into his chest.  It bounced back off of him to land in a heap on the sidewalk.

It was a girl.  Her waist length, straight black hair had somehow flipped over her head and was hiding her face from view.  Tenatively, she reached a hand up to flip her hair over her head.

Ryo stiffled a gasp.  The girl was gorgeous.  She had unusually angular dark brown eyes that blazed with fire like his own.  They were set in a round face.  Medium thick eyebrows were at present set in an expression of surprise, partially hidden by her spiked forward bangs.

" I am so sorry, sir." she said in a rush. " I didn't see you."

" That's ok.  What's the rush anyway?"

To answer his question, a small gang of thugs appeared around the bend.  Ryo looked down at the girl again.  He noticed for the first time that the girl's white t-shirt was torn and dirty in places.  Her baggy jeans had rips on the knees and edges.  Her tanned skin had several cuts and bruises.

It didn't take a genious to figure out what was going on.

The thug leader looked at Ryo.  The look turned into a sneer.

" Get out of the way, buddy, if ya know what's good for ya."

" What do you think your doin'?!"

The gang leader's brow furrowed.  " It should be obvious.  We were planning a little fun, but the little bitch wouldn't cooperate and ran away."

Ryo began to feel blazing fury as hot as the Inferno well up inside him.  These men were planning on raping a defenseless girl.  Not while Ryo of the Wildfire was around!

Jumping into the air, the warrior of virtue launched a flying kick at the leader.  In a few seconds all of the thugs were unconcsious.

The girl, who had long since got up off the ground, could only stare at the blue eyed young man before her.  How had he managed to take on a whole gang right in front of her and not even start breathing hard?

" Hey, are you ok miss, uh, miss . . ?"

" Misty.  My name is Misty.