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Shiroi Arashi (White Storm)

Part: 3

Shiroi Arashi Part Three

Eyes the color of topaz fluttered open as a light breeze blew across a smooth bronze cheek. "Wha-" Ryo sat up in bed and looked around in confusion. "A bed? Why am I in a bed? How did I get here?" He fell back onto the pillow with a low groan as wave a vertigo crashed over him, blacking over his vision.

Voices forced their way through the darkness. "He's been unconscious for days. I hope he's alright." That was Mia.

"At least he's awake. Who knows when Sage will come to. Rowen'll be up and about in no time, but he'll be in a lot of pain. I've never seen him look like that before???" A sense of disorientation washed over Ryo then. What was wrong with Sage and Rowen? What had happened? Sai had sounded scared. He put his weight on his hands and tried to lift himself off of the bed again. He immediately collapsed back onto the mattress with a soft cry of pain.

The door swung open as if on cue and a frantic looking Sai swarmed in, followed by Mia, Yuli, and Whiteblaze. The huge tiger immediately went to Ryo's side and began to nuzzle him gently.

"Whiteblaze, leave him alone. He's still very weak." The huge head swung around and looked at Sai with imploring brown eyes. The tiger wasn't just a stupid animal, he understood that the boy he'd adopted as his cub was injured and in need of attention.

"What's wrong with me? I'm weak as a kitten, and I can't focus on anything." The words were slurred and his tongue felt like a dryrotted scrap of canvas in his mouth. He brought one hand to his forehead to try and focus. His whole body hurt. The inside of his head felt stuffed with cotton, his skin felt too tight and like it was covered in third degree burns. Not to mention how the inside of his body felt; hollow and aching, the now familiar fire still danced through his veins, but now it only burned and made him want to sob.

Sai came over and laid a cool hand on his forehead. "The doctor said that your body was completely exhausted and dehydrated. Here, drink this." The green eyed boy held a glass of cool water to Ryo's lips, who closed his eyes and drank deeply. After draining the glass he still felt parched.

He opened his eyes again and stared at the ceiling. "How did I get here? The last thing I remember is the battle. Oh???" Crystal blue eyes grew wide with dawning horror as memories flooded back into his brain.

* * *

Ryo charged the four armored figures still standing. He grabbed the slight one in the light blue armor, the one that had spoken.

"Ryo, what," the white clad figure hurled him into the wall of the gorge without a second thought. The narrow armored body connected with the stone a few feet above the ground and bounced when it struck the earth.

The bearer of Hardrock went white with shock and anger. "What the hell is wrong with you?! What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" The white helmeted head swung around, cold blue eyes narrowing at the loudmouthed young man. The other two, the dark blue and green clad ones tried to run away to assist their friend. They didn't get far.

Just as Kento swung a huge metal clad fist at Ryo's head, he dropped to a squat and swept the other threes' feet out from under them. Sage was the first one up and he stood facing Ryo. "Are you still in there?"

The words seemed to echo inside his head, and brought a small flare of doubt. With doubt came anger, and Ryo reached out for that source of light blue energy that was flickering faintly. He pulled it into himself, wrenching a strangled cry from a semi-conscious Sai, forcing the other warrior under a wave of unconsciousness. He licked his lips and smiled at the blond standing before him. He wondered what more of that green energy would feel like.

The warrior of justice leaped up and threw himself at the Inferno armor. Without thinking, the white clad figure spun and punched him square in the face. His senses had been heightened by the amount of power flowing through his body, so when the third regained his feet, he pushed a blood blinded Kento into him, knocking them both to the ground. With his free hand he quickly reached out and seized Sage's wrists, using the energy in his body to heat up the silver and green metal beneath his hands. Sage cried out as the metal began to sear his flesh and dropped his nodachi. Ryo kicked it, sending it skittering towards the unconscious figure lying some fifteen feet away.

Rowen, upon hearing Sage's scream, pushed Kento away from him and charged at Ryo.

* * *

Sai opened his mouth to answer Ryo's questions when the other boy's voice trailed off into a horrified whisper. Flame blue eyes grew vacant and distant, and Sai knew that he was remembering.

"What's wrong with him? What's happening?" Mia's frightened voice penetrated the fog that had settled over Sai's brain.

He shook his head ruefully. "Nothing that we can stop. He's remembering what happened." He reached out and took hold of one limp tan hand. The skin was cool and felt like parchment. There was no muscle tone whatsoever; all of Ryo's intensity was focused inward. And Sai could do nothing except send wordless comfort through their bond and hope that Ryo felt it too.

* * *

Kento fell to his knees, clutching his broken nose. Rowen ran to Ryo and grabbed him. He shook the white armored shoulders and cried, "What the hell is wrong with you Ryo? Knock this shit off! You're really gonna hurt somebody!"

A black gauntlet hand clamped around Strata's wrist and yanked, sending him flying over that red, white, and gold shoulder guard. The impact with the pavement drove all breath from his body and brought stars to his eyes. A solid kick to the ribs made him curl into a miserable little ball, and left him gasping for air. Sage, ignoring his burned wrist made a grab for the horned helmet. He wrenched it off and Ryo's blue eyes blazed madly. The warrior of light dropped the helmet and blinked in shock. That wasn't Ryo. Ryo had never curled his lips into a derisive sneer at anyone. Ryo's eyes didn't shine with so much madness and pain. "Ryo???"

Snarling like a wild animal, Ryo reached out and ripped the green and gold helmet from the blonde's head. That energy, he was the one who had started this. This pain was his fault! He quickly reversed his grip on it and clocked Sage over the head with his own helmet. Violet eyes bulged in shock and Sage crumpled to the ground with a small cry.

Blinded by the stars swimming across his vision Sage reached out and grabbed hold of Ryo's ankle. He tugged but to no avail. He just couldn't muster the strength to pull the other boy down. Much to his dismay Ryo reached down and grabbed a fistful of thick blond hair and punched him square in the face as well. Without thought Sage flung his hands up to his injured face only to have them go limp and slightly tingly as his head was slammed against the street pavement.

Kento's vision finally cleared enough that he could rise again. Damn his face hurt. He knew he should be angry, but he was so disturbed by this juggernaut that Ryo had become the only thing he could be was scared. Scared for Ryo. Something bad had happened, and he didn't know how to fix it.

"RYO!!!" He bellowed out his friend's name and watched as Sage's head connected with the ground, falling almost casually from those armored hands. The white clad figure straddling Sage's prone body turned fiercely burning eyes on the bearer of Hardrock. The was so much pain and madness in those eyes. Kento nearly choked as a heavy black wave of guilt crashed over him.

He watched Ryo caress Sage's face almost lovingly, then stand and flick those horrible eyes over Rowen and Sai's still forms. Another wave of guilt washed over him, and Kento realized that Ryo was the source of the black emotion. Then those glowing blue orbs fixed on him, seeming to dare him into action.

Kento stood with the aid of his naginata and limped over to where Ryo was still standing. Dark blue eyes stared into flame blue and Kento suddenly knew what would at least bring Ryo out of this trance. He dismissed his armor and put one large hand on Ryo's cheek. The skin was hot and feverish, and the blue eyes blinked once. Twice.

Tears began to well up and Ryo's lips began to move. "Why?" It was the smallest, most pitiful whisper Kento had ever heard, but it was completely audible in the eerie silence that had settled over the gorge.

The setting sun cast blood red rays across everything, turning Ryo's bright eyes into murky pools of shadow. The tears overflowed then and Ryo wrenched himself away from Kento's touch. "WHY?!"

He screamed at nothing and everything, tears coursing freely down his feverish cheeks. He gathered all of the power in his body and sent it hurtling into the sky. There was a bright flash, and Kento was forced to cover his eyes or go blind.

The light winked out as soon as it had appeared and Ryo crumpled to the ground like an empty sack. The sun slid below the horizon then, the echo of Ryo's power a faint rumble of thunder in the distance.

Kento ran over to the fallen boy and scooped him up in his arms. The armor had vanished, leaving Ryo only in his tee shirt and boxers from that morning. He felt so small and light in Kento's arms, and even unconscious his brow was furrowed.

Nausea started low in Kento's belly and his face began to pound abominably. He lay Ryo down and stood, fighting dizziness. Turning around he ran as fast as he could back to the house, he had to get a hold of Mia, and soon.

* * *

Sai was nearly in tears. That horrible guilt that Ryo held inside him, how long had he been feeling this way? All of that pain???He had nearly screamed when Ryo's hand suddenly tightened on his and tears began leaking from his eyes.

Yuli leaned over the headboard, his small face a study in worry. "Is he gonna be okay Sai?" Mia walked over and put her arms around Yuli, as much to comfort him as herself.

The water warrior quickly gathered himself to answer the boy. He wanted to reassure Yuli that his hero was going to be alright, but he wasn't even sure of that himself. He forced himself to smile and nod, "he'll be fine Yuli. He just needs to rest a lot. He's forced himself to do more work than his body could handle." Gods, he couldn't wait until Sage was conscious. He would know what to do with Ryo.

"Hey guys," Kento's deep voice rumbled from the hallway. "I made some sandwiches if you want 'em." He stepped into the room and walked over to the bed, putting one hand on Sai's shoulder.

Mia put on a bright smile and said with forced cheer, "come on Yuli, let's go get some lunch. If Ryo finds out that you haven't been eating when he wakes up, he's going to be angry."

The little boy sniffled slightly and cast a too adult, worry filled look over his shoulder. "Yeah, he's gonna be okay. He's got all of us to take care of him." With a decisive nod, he took hold of Mia's hand and they both exited the small room.

Kento squeezed the slender shoulder beneath his hand. "How you holdin' up Sai? You gonna be okay?"

The slighter warrior turned slightly and smiled up at the affable face. Those round jovial features were a mask of concern now. "I'll be fine," he reached up and patted Kento's hand. "It's Ryo that I'm worried about. Physically, he'll recover just fine. Emotionally???" his voice trailed off as he stared worriedly at the drawn dusky features of the boy lying in bed.

"Emotionally?" Kento's voice was confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I haven't said anything about it because Ryo has been so touchy lately. But ever since we returned from the Dynasty, he hasn't been quite right. I've hardly been able to feel him through the bonds and he has been terribly withdrawn. I don't know if you guys had noticed, but he's been looking so sad and lonely. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. Also, he's got this terrible guilt eating him up inside. Here," he reached for Kento's hand and put Ryo's limp one in it. "Open yourself to him and tell me what you get."

The larger boy did exactly that and was nearly flattened by the deepest, blackest guilt he'd ever felt, the smaller boy whimpered quietly and tossed his head back and forth, as though in pain. "Gods, what the hell caused that?" He dropped Ryo's hand like he'd been burned by it. His friend's skin was so hot his hand almost did feel burned.

"I think it's been reinforced by the incident a few days ago." Sai rubbed the lump on his head, remembering everything that had happened. "But I think it's older than that. There's more to it than just guilt though. He's sad, lonely. He's???jealous." He turned worried green eyes on his lover.

"Jealous? Why would he be jealous?"

"I have no idea. That's part of the problem. He's also got a thought loop stuck in his mind. He thinks that he's a coward, a liability, a danger to us. He's afraid of something, and he thinks that he's a liar. I can't make any sense of it at all." Tears welled up in Sai's wide emerald eyes. "Kento, what if we can't help him?"

The bearer or Hardrock reached out and wrapped strong arms around his shaking lover, cradling him to his chest. "It'll be okay. We'll help him, and everything's gonna be alright."

"But what if we can't," Sai sobbed into Kento's broad chest, overcome by unreasoning guilt.

"Shh, don't talk like that. We'll make everything okay. Don't worry, we'll fix it." He kept crooning statements like that into Sai's ear and stroking his hair, but it was a while before the red haired boy calmed down again.

* * *

Ryo didn't want to open his eyes. He knew that he was alone and that made him both happy and sad. He didn't want to be alone, but he also didn't want anybody to be around him who didn't want to be there.

They knew about his jealousy. If they knew he was jealous then they knew that he'd been feeling their emotions and listening to their thoughts. They probably did, that was why Sai wanted to dump him on Sage.

Gods Sage???tears welled up again behind his closed lids. How could he have done something like that? How could he have hurt his friends like that? Thrown Sai into the wall of the gorge, broke Rowen's ribs and Kento's nose, and probably Sage's as well. If that was all he had broken on Sage then he would be thankful. Pounding that beautiful blond head into the pavement???how could he?

Some leader I am. I completely turned on them and beat the crap out of them. I HURT THEM! Gods, why did they give me their power? They should have known that I was undependable with it. But how could they have known? I didn't tell them anything???

The tears were flowing freely now. How could he have been so mindless and cruel? There was absolutely no excuse for what he had done. He should have kept a tighter grip on himself. But no, I didn't. I was too weak to control the Inferno. When I can get out of this damn bed I'll go find someone who's worthy of bearing Wildfire and the Inferno. Somebody more reliable, more honest. Someone who isn't a pervert and susceptible to jealousy because he has to be a pervert. I'll find someone who's more capable of protecting them and being a better friend. I just don't have it in me???

He rolled over and buried his face in his pillow, using it to muffle his sobs. He would find somebody better.

* * *

Sai's eyes widened and he looked up from the book he was reading. "He's awake again, and he's crying. Oh gods, Ryo." He jumped up and headed for the stairs quickly, making Kento and Rowen look up in surprise.

Rowen settled back into the couch when Kento ran over to Sai. "What's goin' on," he called as loudly as he could.

"Hold on a sec man," Kento replied. He caught up to his lover and grabbed his arm. "Where you goin' Sai?"

"Upstairs. Ryo's awake, can't you feel him?"

Kento blinked rapidly. "That's what that was. I don't know anything about all this mystical mumbo jumbo, so sorry if I'm not so quick on the uptake. What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know."

"Hey Sai, is Ryo gonna be okay? I mean, we're the ones who got the livin' bejezus kicked out of us, but I think he's the one who hurts the most."

"I wish I could tell you Ro. I don't know if there's anything that we can do for him. Gods, I can't wait for Sage to wake up. He would know how to deal with this!" Frustrated tears sprang to his eyes and Kento quickly enveloped him in a loving embrace.

"Don't cry Sai. Everything'll work out. Shh," Kento whispered comfortingly as he gently rocked Sai in his arms.

Rowen rose gingerly from the couch and hobbled slowly over to the embracing couple. He threw his arms around the both of them, adding his own wordless comfort to the huddle.

* * *

Ryo knew the second that Sai felt him. The other warrior's worry, concern, and frustration flooded over into his brain. Then both Kento and Rowen caught on. He was worried about Sai. Rowen was in immense pain, every movement sending jolts of it through his torso. Sage???Sage was still unconscious, but little tremors of pain still shook his body.

He couldn't take it anymore and completely closed himself off from them. The sheer sense of "aloneness" rolled over him, flattening him completely. He felt so empty he couldn't even cry anymore. Ryo just simply lay there in bed, shivering, clutching his pillow to his chest.

* * *

The three embracing at the foot of the stairs all looked up at the same time as they felt Ryo completely drop out of their minds. They let go of each other and Kento and Sai charged up the stairs, Rowen following more slowly.

He reached them just as Sai was about to open Ryo's bedroom door. "Ryo," Sai called quietly.

They were greeted only by Ryo's sheet covered back. "Please go away," he said, barely audible voice hoarse and cracking.

Sai's face crumpled in defeat. Kento's temper snapped. "Now you listen here. Sai is only trying to help you, and all you've been doing is crying and moaning about it. You've been lying in bed for days now. So why don't you help yourself from now on and give him a break!" With that Kento pulled Sai out of Ryo's room and slammed the door behind him.

The slightly taller boy rounded on his lover. "Oh, that was just brilliant Kento! I can't believe you just said that!"

"Hey, I'm not gonna just stand here and let you fret yourself to sickness. It's obvious that he doesn't want your help."

Whiteblaze sauntered over and stared up at Sai and Kento. It was obvious how worried they both were. Rowen looked very uncomfortable as well. The tiger sighed heavily and padded over to Ryo's door, where he circled three times and then laid down. He gave Rowen a look that said "I'll take watch now," and settled in completely.

Rowen took that as his cue to leave and slipped away from the arguing couple.

* * *

Ryo cringed at Kento's words. It wasn't the words so much that hurt, but the truth behind them. He had been lying in bed for days crying and moaning. Sai had been trying to help him by talking to him, and he had just blown him off. Gods, how ungrateful could he be?

Now they were arguing outside his door because of him. Why did he have to be such a burden on everyone here? Well, he decided, I will take Kento's advice and help myself. I'll also help them at the same time. I won't be a burden to them anymore and it will leave them open to find someone better suited to being their leader.

For the first time in days firm resolve filled his soul. The empty clamoring inside his body stilled. He now had a goal, a purpose. And it would better the situation for all involved.

Ryo lay quietly in bed, making sure that he was completely closed off from the others and waiting for them to go to sleep.

* * *

Rowen strolled gently down the hallway, headed for Sage's room. He hadn't checked up on him yet and wanted to see how his best friend was doing. Reaching out and turning the knob, he opened the door to Sage's pristine room.

He nearly fell over in shock as he saw the blond lying in bed, one hand pressed gently against his forehead and slowly blinking his eyes.

"Sage? You awake?"

"Yes," his voice was a harsh croak. "Finally. Can I have some water please?"

"Yeah, sure!" Rowen hurried as quickly as he could and brought the blonde a tall glass of water. "Better?"

Sage drained the glass completely and shook himself lightly. "Yes, much. Thank you. What's going on? What happened?"

"Heh, well, have I got a story for you." Rowen related the events of the past week or so impartially, not leaving out one iota.

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to wake up to this. We seem to have quite a mess on our hands. How are the others?"

"Well, last I saw of Sai and Kento they were arguing outside Ryo's door. They've been fine, but Sai's about ready to collapse. He's been so worried about everyone. Even Blaze is acting weird. He's been real jumpy lately and he even growled at Yuli."

Sage's violet eyes widened at that statement. "Growled at Yuli? What about Ryo?"

"Well, Ryo's just been lying in bed. I don't know what's wrong with him, but he's completely blocked us out. I can't get anything from him."

Sage's eyes seemed to grow darker as resolve filled them. "Go find Sai and Kento. Please, bring them here. I think we have a lot to talk about."

"Are you sure? I mean, they were lookin' pretty stressed out." Violet eyes stared at him imperiously from beneath the fall of golden bangs. "Go," was all he said.

"All right, fine. Whatever you say." Rowen got up slowly and hobbled out of Halo's room. He looked down towards Ryo's room first, they weren't there. However, they were at the opposite end of the hallway sitting on the top stair. He walked over and tapped them on their shoulders.

"Hey guys, Sage's awake and he wants to talk to us."