Scar
			Chapter: 5
			Crucible
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	"Children....only children.  All those years ago
I took them in.  For what I've done with them I am truly 
heartless indeed.  They were only searching for affection
and I twisted that into a weapon.  Like Shiro said.
I am like ice inside.  My heart long since turned to ice."

	four years in the past...
	
	Two small children.  One roughly thirteen years of age.
A boy who's face showed a strong determination.  The other
a girl of only eight years clinging desperately to his side.

	Together in a vicious storm they trek forward against the
wind.  "Stop Ryu.  Let's go back."  Demanded the girl tugging
on the boy's cloak.  "I'm not going back.  Kagesenin
is here.  He's the strongest man in the world.  I want
to be strong like him."  Ryu replied.

	"But he's a big nasty demon.  He'll eat you."
The girl said pleading to Ryu.  "Tora that's only a
myth.  He's just a man.  There's no demons on earth."
Ryu retorted.

	Piercing the storm was a vile raspy voice.
"Oh aren't there.  A man so heartless he's like a devil.
a devil so powerful he's amlost a god."  

	Looking ahead the two children see the tall figure
of Debiru his body seeming to ignore the rain and remaining dry,
his hair still standing in deffiance of Gravity.

	"Who....who are you?"  Tora asked pulling closer to Ryu.
"Are you Kagesenin?"  Ryu asked

	"What I am is no concearn of yours.  But if you look
ahead you'll see him."  Debiru replied.

	Running ahead the two children stopped when the wind blew
them over.  But they could see him.  Clad in black with his long hair blowing
in the wind.  About him was a spectacle of natural phenomenon.

	The wind was whipping in a cyclone around him pulling
the rain its self on a horizontal plane.  Looking up Ryu gazed upon
the cyclone extending to the sky.  The very clouds were turning
with the one black clad man as their axis.

	Ryu spoke knowing immediately whom he was spoke his name
with both awe and fascination.  "Kagesenin."  While Tora
burried her face in her brother's cloak.

	In present day.

	Long expanses of dry arid land stretched out before
Christian and Ryomaru as they rode atop their steed Chessnut.
The sun beat down mearcilessly on the two cloaked travlers.

	"I think Chessnut is tired."  Ryomaru remarked.
"She needs water.  We aren't very far from civilization
now.  We can find water there."  Christian answered while
stroking Chessnut's brown mane.

	As Chessnut walked along sluggishly Christian's
keen ears picked up a buzzing sound behind him.
Throwing up dust into the air a crowd riding atop 
motorcycles sped by leaving the two horseback travelers in their
cloud.

	Christian and Ryomaru choked on the dust as they rode
through.  Christian shook his head "Post apocolyptic
biker punks.  What a cliche."

	Chessnut galloped on ahead following the same path. 
An uneasy feeling was settling in Christian's gut, but one which
he tried to hide from Ryomaru as not to worry him.

	A few miles ahead there lay a small Villaige.
Primative housing made of whatever material was conveniant mostly
salvaged bricks from once greater structures in abandoned
cities nearby.  Surrounded by these humble dwellings was a 
well which quenched the thirst of the people and watered the
crops which fed them.  A single spring of vitallity in an otherwise
univable climate.

	A familliar jeep was parked nearby as three equally familliar
travelers stopped to gather water from this generous wellspring.
Ryu clad in his standard black beneth a cloak to protect from the sun's
rays seemed to be suffering greatly.  Normally a type aclimated to cold
weather the heat had become too intense for him.  Tora and Shiro on the other
hand both sported light breezy garb providing for quick ventillation
in the desert winds, beneth white cloaks to fend off the sun's harsh rays.

	Tora drew up a bucket and dipped a small mug into it drawing
out cool pure water and poured it past her brother's lips.
Ryu readilly drank the refreshing liquid.  After a few mugs full
Ryu's stomach would bear no more.  With the aid of his two small
companions Ryu staggered into the shade of a nearby overhang and panted.

	"Brother mabey we should keep going untill we reach a better climate.
I'm worried if you stay here too long..."  Tora plead but Ryu would not hear
it and interupted.

	"I'm thankful for your concearn Tora, but my battle with Christian
must be completed.  As Malus specified I've developed a new technique
and now I must face him.  He has to come through here and this is the perfect
chance to combat him."  Said Ryu drawing more concearn from his Sister.

	Tora prepared to retort but was interupted by Shiro

	"someone is coming" said Shiro as a rumble sounded over the horizon
accompanied by a dust cloud.

	Villaigers scattered in fear each running to the nearest dwelling 
whether it was of their belonging or not and slammed the door shut
securly locking it.

	As each motorcycle skidded to a halt its rider dissembarked
and approached the well.

	The largest of the group walked a few feet in front and called out
in the center of the Villaige.

	"Come out peons or the we blast the well."  He said indicating
a pack of explosives already prepared which was in the hands of
one of his subbordinants.

	Slowly the doors unlocked and the inhabbitants crept out 
fearfully.  

	"We've come to collect our tax for letting you people 
use our well."  demanded the large punk.

	from the group of villaigers a stout man someone 
young but showing his experiance stepped forward.
"This villaige and well were here long before you.  
You may have killed the last elder but I will not stand for 
this injustice any longer."  He said defiantly.

	The big punk shook his head.  "Always hard breaking in
the new ones."  He said before burrying his fist in the 
Villaige leader's stomach doubling him over.  Smashing his fist down
like a hammer the big punk dropped his helpless adversary to the
dirt and proceeded to kick him repeatedly whilst all the
hopefull leader could do was ball up attempting to protect himself.

	Ryu shook his head while Shiro turned away.
Tora on the other hand ran forward.  "LEAVE HIM ALONE" 
She yelled in deffiance of the enormous biker punk.

	Looking down at Tora and halting his assault on the
Villaige leader the big punk grinned before placing his hand
on Tora's shoulder pushing her about face and laughing.
"Go run home little girl."  he said with a bullyish chortle.

	Tora turned back around and ran below the big punk's grasp
to deliver a firm kick to the big punk's groin causing him to groan
in pain and fall to his knees.

	"AAAAH YOU LITTLE BITCH KILL HER BOYS!"
He yelled calling on his underlings to circle in on Tora.

	Ryu staggered forward to confront them in defense
of Tora.  "Stay away from my little sister you bastards."
he said snarling.

	One punk from behind swung a crowbar crashing it into Ryu's
head and knocking him down to one knee.  "What the hell?
That should have split his skull open"  the punk remarked as others moved in
with various metal impiments including pipes, wrenches, chains along with other
assorted heavy objects and began smashing them into the already weakened
Ryu.

	"This guy isn't dying."  one remarked as he wailed away.
"Keep swinging and he will"  responded another.  Ryu rolled around
trying to gather his strenth.

	Against the torent of hard metal Ryu rose to one knee.
"Damned fist fodder." he snarled.  

	With a sweep of his straightened hand Ryu went across
three punks whom a second later gazed in horrer as their abdoemens split
open spilling their insides to the dirt below.

	With a followup back elbow Ryu caved in the skull of another
assailant and a final kick to the last not wise enough to flee
thrust Ryu's leg completely through the chest of the biker
punk."

	  Regaining his bearings Ryu looked around his vision now
becoming blurry and his ballance suffering.  What he eventually
afixed his gaze on was the large punk holding Tora.
One massive hand wrapping around her tiny waist and his other
grasping her by the top of the head.

	"Stay back you demon or I'll break her kneck."
Ryu halted.  "I'll do it.  If you take even one step
forward I'll break her little neck."  He threatened
again.

	Ryu stepped back but subltly by his side began making
strange hand gestures.  He then put his hand forward
and muttered the word "megadeath"  before collapsing
from heat exhaustion.  In fear for a moment the Punk tightened
his grip and Tora shut her eyes tight but then finding nothing
happened loosened his grip slightly.

	"Dead from the heat."  The big punk said smiling.
Ryu though lying still struggled to speak.
"You're a corpse already.  You just don't know it yet."

	The punk dropped Tora and drew a long heavy lead pipe
from his back and approached Ryu.

	But before he could strike he spontaniously dropped
his bludgeon and froze. 

	Ryu grinned and forced out an explaination.
"With my energy I created a mine inside your body and detonated
it.  Your internal organs are shredded.  You've got thirty seconds
to live."

	With the bitter realization that Ryu spoke the truth
the punk spat out with blood flowing from his mouth
"See you in hell"  before collapsing with blood pouring from every pore
and a bloody foam gurgling from his mouth.

	The underling holding the pre prepared bomb was the only one
remaining.  He scrambled to set the explosive, hurled it toward Ryu and
ran.

	In mid air though the charge vanished in a flash of light as 
the phrase "HIKARIHA" was shouted from nearby.

	In from the distance rode Christian and Ryomaru.

	Both dismounted and predictibly Ryomaru gasped in surprise to 
find Shiro and Tora there waiting for him once again.

	Meanwhile Christian rushed to Ryu's side.

	"Ryu did you do this?"  He asked.

	Tora ran to Ryu's side further confusing Ryomaru.
"No don't be mad he saved this villaige."  she plead not
realizing this was the first time she had encountered Christian
without a disgusie.

	Although it seemed for the moment Christian had passed up a
chance to question her about the familliarity of her aura
in favor of inquiring as to Ryu's health.

	Ryu answered Christian "I was only trying
to protect my dear little sister."  he said before losing
conciousness.

	Ryomaru stood dropjawed at what he had just heard.
It wasn't hard to draw the line of exactly whom Ryu was reffering to.
Everything had become clear.  That's why Tora and Shiro had always shown
up no matter where he had gone.  Like Ryu they were tailing Christian.

	Ryomaru couldn't help in light of this new evidence to 
question the vallidity of their friendship.  But this was not the time
for such questions.

	A short time later inside one of the humble dwellings
the Villaige leader aided Christian and Tora as they attempted
to restore Ryu's health while Ryomaru and Shiro looked on with concearn.

	Ryu lay on a bed arms stretched out his shirt removed
to ventilate heat.  He still had not regained conciousness and his vital
signs were declining.  Tora was now holding Ryu's hand hoping
for him to return to conciousness but fearing the worst.

	"He's not aclimated to these temperatures.
His choice of clothing didn't help either.  But still it
shouldn't have been enough to cause this.  It's like he's lived
in some frigid climate all his life."  Christian remarked.

	"He's been with me all my life, and I'm fine.
I'm a bit sweaty but otherwise good."  Tora replied.

	Christian nodded with a realization.  "Only he
studies Kagesen correct?" he asked.  "That's right.  Shiro and
I just follow him."  Tora answered.

	"He's just like Malus.  He never seemed to feel the
cold.  Conversely he hated sunlight."  Christian said.
Torra nodded in agreeance.  "That's a lot what he's like.
Always standing in the middle of harsh storms.  In fact I
almost never see him in the daylight.  But what does that mean
to Ryu?"  Responded Tora.

	Placing a cold rag on Ryu's forehead Christian answered.
"Being around someone who has a strong energy like Malus he's obviously
picked up traits from him.  Just look at Ryomaru over there.
He acts more like me every day and not just because he
looks up to me."

	Ryomaru walked up to Christian's side.
"Then if that's true you should try to lower his body temperature.
Get him back to like he's used to being."  

	"You're a bright boy Ryomaru.  That's exactly what I was
going to say.  Tora keep these cold rags coming.  It's the only real
way we have of getting his body temperature down."  Christian said
in response.

	Time passed as the oddly allied group of travellers
worked to save Ryu.  Gradually Ryu's temperature lowered
and his health returned.

	Regaining conciousness and eventually his senses
he looked about himself.

	The harsh desert day had turned into blessed cool night.
Christian was nowhere to be seen.  Tora had fallen asleep
still clinging to his hand.  Likewise the two boys had fall asleep
in a corner.  The bitter realization that he owed his life to
his greatest rival came over Ryu.  He looked back to his sibling
peacefully slumbering now having for so long desperately
clung to him as if trying to hold his soul in this world.
It was worth the debt to Christian so long as she was safe.

	Ryu struggled to pull himself up, and though he was weak, his
superhuman strength and endurance prevailed, and he was on his feet.
Tora stirred and sleepilly opened her eyes.  "Big brother you're
awake.  I was afraid you were..."  Ryu didn't allow Tora
to finnish.  "I'm a student of Kagesen.  We don't yield to the
elements we conquer them....although admittedly I'm nowhere near
the level Malus has attained.  Thanks for sticking by me."

	"So where are we going now?"  Tora asked
as Ryu staggered to the door.  "We're going ahead
to a better climate.  I can't challenge Christian
here.  I barely handled thos punks.  If they were to
threaten you again....I don't know if I could protect you."
Ryu stated with head held down, more from having to admit his
own weakness than any exhaustion.

	"I understand.  But Malus will be angry if we don't
report how Christian grows when he absorbs energy from the next
sacred place."  Tora said curious of the temper of Ryu's master.

	"Tell him to forget it.  When I absorbed the pyramid 
power the power boost seemed like a great deal but the lasting effect
was minimal.  Christian made a mistake thinking they would give
him the strength to defeat Malus.  I say forget it.  Full speed
ahead to the east.  I hear in china there are a few remaining temples
dedicated to study of the martial arts.  It may take Christian months to
catch up but when he does I'll be the stronger." Ryu answered with 
vendiction.

	"Ryu...you're right.  But I sense something from christian.
He's much stronger now than he was before even though he's not absorbed
one sacred point since I first saw him."  Replied Tora.

	Ryu nodded.  "I see...yes it all makese sense now.
Go get shiro and quietly.  Don't wake the little dragon.
I'd preffer he and Christian both not think me their friend.
Christian's heart is too kind."

	A minute later back inside Tora stepped lightly.  Her
feet nearly dancing as they evaded noisy floorboards and brought
her closer to the two sleeping boys.

	She reached out to nudge Shiro back to awareness.  
Her hand stopped before completing its task as she looked over
to Ryomaru.  Holding perfectly still akin to a cat in deep concentration
she stared at the boy as he slept.  She couldn't help but 
think about how unique he was in her constantly changing world.

	Tora contemplated.  "He's the only real friend I've had
and the whole time I've known him I've been decieving him.  Surely
when he awakes and finds me gone he'll be angry.  Mabey even hate
me for lying to him.  His trust seems so fragile.  I feel so much
burried tragedy from him.  Everyone he put trust in has left him...
...just like I'm doing.  I can't just throw away a friendship.
Ryu may be my brother but his Kagesen training is pulling him away
from me.  Shiro may be my responsibillity but for some reason he's
not like a friend...more of a walking ghost."

	As Tora's thoughts came back to reality she realized that
she had subconciously walked across and leaned over Ryomaru.
She looked to his innocent face saw a streak run down it.

	Reaching to her own face she found the stream was her
own tears dripping to Ryomaru's face.  Her own eyes ahd 
made the descision for her Tora realized.  Ryomaru was
now stirring.  

	Slowly his hazel eyes looked up into Tora's
"Tora?"  He mumbled still not completely awake.

	Tora trying to at least save herself some mebarasment 
wiped the tear from her eye.

	Ryomaru spoke up.  "Tora how's your brother?
How's Ryu?"  "He's...he's fine.  About that Ryomaru I'm sorry I.."
Tora tried to answer but Ryomaru interupted her.
"Tora why'd you lie to me?  You were just lying the whole time.
You were lying about being my freind too."

	"no, no that's wrong.  I never meant to hurt you.
I just....I just..."  Tora couldn't find the right words to
convey her intentions to Ryomaru.

	"You just wanted me out of the way so your brother
could fight Christian."  Retorted Ryomaru his voice beginning to get
louder which woke Shiro.

	Tora put one hand forward in front of Ryomaru's mouth.
"Hush.  I just can't explain it.  Let me show you."  She said as she leaned
her head forward near Ryomaru's and closed her eyes.

	Ryomaru's eyes widened as he felt some new thought intrude
his own.  At first he fought it but quickly realized that there was
no ill intent.  Soon his heart felt calm again.  Warm and gentle.
He realized that Tora was showing him her emotions.  The warm
feeling she shared with him called Friendship.

	"So you really think I'm your friend even if you're supposed
to be Christian's enemy?"  Ryomaru asked.  "You're still just a 
little kid Ryomaru.  You still see the world in black and white.
So I understand that you can't quite grasp that I can be both
the Sister of Ryu and your friend at the same time."
Said Tora speaking verbally again.

	"I'm Sorry."  Said Ryomaru apologizing for yelling at
Tora.  "It's alright.  You just have some growing up to do.
I guess I do too.  But promise me something." Tora replied.

	"What's that?"  Ryomaru inqured.  "Promise me that when
you grow up you won't lose that innocence you have right now."
Tora said with a smile.  "I promise."  answered Ryomaru smiling back.

	Giving Ryomaru a pat on the head Tora took Shiro's hand and lead
him out.  Shortly after Ryomaru followed but Tora turned back before they
exited the humble dwelling.  "No, don't follow me.  We'll meet again.
But Ryu will be angry if he finds out.  He has an apreciation of you.
You're a lot like him when he was your age.  Strong hearted and determined.
And just like you he and I have lived alone for much of our lives.
For that reason he doesn't want you to come into conflict between our
friendship and your friendship with Christian."  Tora said as she pushed Shiro
through the doorway.

	Ryomaru stood back as Tora gently pulled the door closed.
He stood for a few moments in the dark as he listened to 
the engine of Ryu's jeep rev up and vehicle drive away.

	Christian shortly after entered the room. 
"I didn't want to interupt.  You know she gave up any chance
of working against us to remain your friend.  She already knew
that once I'd detected her psychic power in use I'd be able to recognize
her in disguise.  I realise now that she's been near us more often
than you think.  And I think sometimes she wasn't spying on us.  I
think she just wanted to be near you."  Christian said as he put
his hand on top of Ryomaru's messy bushle of hair.

	Elsewhere.  Ryu's jeep for roughly an hour had been crossing
the wasteland.  As the cool night air blew through his hair Ryu could
feel his strength returning.  Tora meanwhile held Shiro close to protect
the small boy from the chill of wind.  Looking up to her brothers
face she could see confusion on his face.  It was not a common sight.

	Tora had always known Ryu to be, if rather illogical, to be
decisive in his demenor.  Always he gave a single minded devotion
to the task at hand.  First survival in the early days after the 
end of the world, then in his devotion to find the one called
Kagesenin, and throughout the years in his training.  But since encountering
Christian Ryu had changed.  No longer was he entirely devoted to any one thing.
Although Ryu had grown closer to her in the recent weeks he also was torn
between doubts in yhis rivalry with Christian.  A conflict between his
devotion the art of Kage Sen and to his only familly, Tora.

	Tora happened to glance at the rearview mirror and was broken
from her contemplation.  "RYU!"  she exclaimed pointing behind the jeep.
Ryu looked in his mirror to see a disturblingly familliar sight.
Behind the jeep and quickly drawing closer were what were aparently more menbers
of the same group of biker punks Ryu had fought earlier.  

	Their bikes spewed smoke and dust behind them as their riders sporting
all manner of armor and odd haircuts swung crowbars, chains and various
different sharpened metal makeshift weapons.

	Ryu rather than risk damaging his choice of transportation in a
chase chose the more direct course of action.  "Tora you and Shiro duck down.
no matter what happens don't let them see you."  Ruy said as he pulled the 
jeep to a stop and jumped out.  

	Before the bikers had even approached Ryu charged head on toward the
cloud trialed marauders.  As Ryu entered the fray his fists felw out smashing
into two Bikers knocking them from their mechanical steeds.  Both
riders hit the ground unconcious and probably suffering from a number of broken 
bones given their velocity prior to impact.

	Ryu leaping to the side delivered a kick to the side of the motorcycle
previously to his right side and sent it crashing into the one to its immediate left.
sending it in a chain reaction spinning into a multi vehicle pile up.

	Ryu clenched his right hand tight and it began to glow with a dark energy.
shouting out "SHINIRYUKEN!" he thrust forward fist extended and plowed through both
man and machine untill he passed through the back line of his enemies.

	Turning around Ryu could see the remaining bikers dismounting and that their 
numbers were roughly halved by his inital assault.  He stood still with a stern 
experession as the bikers swinging all nature of destructive impliment rushed toward him.

	As the first drew in Ruy threw a punch with his left hand dropping
his attacker to the ground as if he were an innnimate sack of stones.  Progressing
through the line of enemies Ryu threw a straight kick into the stomach of 
his next enemy the force of which threw the unfortunate biker punk
for some number of yards before he crashed to the lifeless dirt
of the wasteland.

	Still the onlsaught continued.  No amount of physical might seemed
to stop the oncoming force of enemies.  Ryu was beginning to feel that
his energy had not fully returned to him since the ordeal earlier.

	Then it happened.  So close to victory yet so far.  Ryu fell to the ground
as a pickaxe smashed into his spine.  his jacket ripped open and blood seeped
out.  The blade of the weapon fell from the now cracked handle.
Though not fatally emplaed as the assailent had expected Ryu was down.

	Like vultures on a freshly fallen beast of the wild the punks
gathered with their weapons and in unison beat them down upon Ryu.

	Then far worse than losing Ryu heard a what he feared.  The high
pitched cry of his sister.  Suddenly the beating stopped.  Ryu though in
this case more hoped it would continue rather than the alternative.
The bikers were closing in on the jeep.

	The largest among them reached one hand into the jeep and wrapped
his hand around Tora's arm pulling her up and holding her eye to eye.
"I remember you.  Our late boss was about to snap your neck before your
big brother killed him.  I should thank you.  After that incident I'm the 
leader.  I'll thank you by finnishing you off quickly."

	"NO! yelled Shiro jumping to the hood of the jeep.  LET
TORA GO!"  "the biker punk didn't bother with a sarcastic remark
or even a laugh.  He just dropped Tora and threw a punch sending Shiro
hurtling to the ground.

	"SHIRO!"  shouted Tora whom began to run toward the fallen boy only
to be grabbed by the back of her dress and once again lifted off her
feet.

	Before the punk could resume to carrying out his threat though 
he heard in the distance a clap of thunder.  A chill wind blew.

	"What the hell?"  exclaimed the punk as black clouds blew in.
"Kagesenin?"  said the punk.  But when he turned his attention he saw
not the legendary Kagesenin but Ryu.  Glowing with deep purple light
and his eyes blotted out in a bright red glow he stepepd forward.  
The wind whipped around him as the rain began to pour.

	The remaining crowd of punk subbordinants suffered
their fates as builts of lighting struck down throwing their charred
bodies aside.  Stepping Ryu was followed by the intense vortex of swirling
wind and rain.  

	Ryu spoke as he advanced slowly.  "I assume you fancy yourself a
fighter if you know the trademark of Kagesenin.  I am not the one
you think I am but for you I am far worse.  I am the next in line.
The chaos bringer of the future.  You have dared to envoke my rage.
And I swear I'll KILL ANYONE WHO DARES THREATEN MY LITTLE SISTER!"

	The big punk still didn't back down.  He reached aside and
took up the nearest two bikes one in each hand, and threw them toward Ryu.

	Ryu held up one hand and in a flash lighting struck down but rather
than striking him directly it arced in mid air and continued on a circular path
around his hand as the two hurled objects in a fraction of a second flew closer
he held out his hand and yelled "TESLA!"  letting the flash of electricity
fly forward exploding the two motorbikes sending their pieces flying through the air
and leaving a wall of smoke and flame.  

	With Ryu no longer visible the big punk breathed a sigh of reliefe.
A reliefe which did not last long.  in a gust the wall of fire and smoke
split and Ryu's still glowing figure walked through.

	"YOU LITTLE SHIT!  DIE!"  Shouted the punk as he planted both hands
on the jeep beside him and with great strain lifted it.  Running forward
the punk wielded the vehicle with the intent of smashing it into Ryu.

	Moments before reaching his target though Ryu vanished into a 
blur only to re appear a second later behind the punk.

	The punk dropped the jeep on its hood smashing the vehicle before
turning around.  "What was that?  Trying to run away?"

	"Since you think yourself a fighter you might have 
heard of something called preassure points.  Numerous places on the
body which when struck can cause intense pain, debillitating injury or 
even death.  When I ran past you. . . I HIT THEM ALL"  said Ryu
forcefully and with an understandable degree of finallity.
"Value the last seconds of your life"  Ryu said as he turned away 
not even bothering to witness the spectacle that was about to take place.
Rather he approached the two children and directed them to turn away.

	Then it started.  As the punk tried to move toward Ryu he found his body frozen.
then the intense pain began.  Every millimeter of his body screamed
with pain but the punk was unable to even wrench over in pain.  

	Pressure built inside his body untill in places it bulged and then
split open.  Finally with one sickening sound much like tendons being ripped
apart on a wide scale a gush of blood, sinew, bone and internals erupted
from what was moments ago a human being.

	Blood splattering all over the wasteland sands the only remants of the
punk were a pair of feet still standing.

	The fierceness of the storm died down and began a gentle rain not
seen by this part of the world in years while Ryu regained his natural
appearance.  

	"Ryu did you..."  Tora began to ask but Ryu already had the answer.
"I am the next Kagesenin.  And if Christian is truely the Hikarisenin
then he is by nature my rival.  and yet...I can neither abandon you.
Whether to be Kagesenin or your brother.  Tora I don't know.
Each answer raises twice as many questions.  There's no easy solution.
I'll keep questing.  No longer can I simply track Christian to fullfill 
the orders Malus has given to me.  I must continue this journey for myself.

	Ryu stood silent for a moment.  "I hear him.  Sounds like a horse.
I can sense him drawing closer.  Christian is coming to investigate.
You and shiro like the little dragon don't you."  

	Tora nodded in the afirmative.  Ryu knelt down to Tora's level.
He reached out and embraced her "I'm sorry Tora but I have to go away now.
For Ryomaru's sake Christian will be kind to you."

	As Ryu attempted to stand Tora clung to him.  "Don't leave brother.
You're all I have.  Forget about Malus.  forget about Kage sen.
Ever since you met malus all those years ago you've been pulling away
from me.  Please don't..."  Ryu pushed Tora away from himself.

	"You're all I have Tora.  So don't think this isn't hard for me
too.  But there are things a man must do alone."  Ryu said turning away.
"RYU!  This is just the same as Malus did six years ago.  Don't you remember
what he told you.  What happened between he and Christian.  You're following
the exact same path he did."  Tora yelled to Ryu.

	Ryu held his head down as he walked toward the motorcycle that
looked the least damaged and uprighted it.  "You're wise beyond your
years dear sister.  But this is the hard life of a warrior.  The only path
open to one whom is destined to become the Kagesenin."  with those
final words Ryu reved the engine of the bike and rode away over the stormy 
horrizon.

	Tears soaking her eyes and rain soaking her clothes Tora stared over
the horizon while Christian galloped up behind her.  Gazing down at the
sullen little girl a bitter realization came over Christian.  that soon 
soon the world would have a second Kagesenin and one more child with no
familly to care for her.
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