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Episode 9 – Grace in the Radiance

Sage groaned as he buried his face in his hands. He'd been sitting only ten minutes outside one of the dozens of tents that made up the relief shelter – one of many that'd been set up all over Japan following the earthquake – but it felt like an hour. Though he knew it wouldn't be his sister's fault, he'd hate it if Yayoi was delayed and they couldn't catch up like they'd planned. Unable to keep his treacherous thoughts at bay any longer, he found himself once again dwelling on yesterday's events.

Although his warrior instincts had deemed it cowardly, Sage had had a good reason to flee rather than fight off the wolves. Normally, he wouldn't have hesitated to armor up and decimate those hellhounds. But with the Tamuras watching his every move, he couldn't risk it. As for Mitsu, he'd been certain she'd lost her mind when she commanded everyone to climb the rock face – but it wasn't until she faced down the pack that he understood why. Though she may not have known it, Mitsu's decision meant her powers would soon awaken.

All Ronin Warriors had that fighting instinct when facing such dangerous foes – any other person would've kept on running. Likewise, whereas those wolves would've devoured any other who dared stand up to them, when Mitsu took that dare, they ended up being the ones to turn and run. In hindsight, Sage now knew it was her noble warrior's heart that'd compelled the creatures to flee as demons would from the sacred – tossing the rock was just the catalyst. Yet despite her incredible bravery – foolhardy though it was – he couldn't overlook what'd immediately followed.

Only in a handful of instances in his life so far had Sage felt fear, and he became reacquainted with it when Mitsu nearly fell off the cliff – having only caught her because Sumire had climbed off his back once they were all safe again. Never would he forget how that same fear coursed through his veins as he'd hurried Mitsu toward the road, rendering him temporarily incapable of thinking about anything but her.

Just as Sumire had said, the road quickly led to a bridge – which was guarded by law-enforcers on both sealed-off ends. Sage had known he and the Tamuras must've presented a startling sight with their dirty two-day-old clothes and weather-battered forms. Regardless, he'd hastily introduced himself and his charges before informing the officers that the barely conscious lady at his side required immediate aid.

Fortunately, Sage and his party were promptly escorted past the roadblocks and to the medical quarter of this shelter at the outskirts of Sendai. Once there, he was further floored upon recognizing one of the doctors as his older sister – not that he wasn't glad to see her well and safe. But although he'd since decided there was nobody he trusted more with Mitsu's case, that wouldn't have made it any easier to hand Mitsu over after she collapsed. Nor would it have shortened that day's remaining hours – which were now among the longest Sage had known in his life.

When the authorities interviewed him and Mitsu's siblings about their experiences, he'd been so distracted he nearly mentioned the wolves – which he, Sumire, and Masaji had agreed to keep secret. Even when they'd received food, showers, fresh clothes, medical attention, and rooms to sleep in afterward, it was agonizing remaining in the dark about Mitsu's wellbeing. Only this morning had Yayoi been able to briefly inform him of her stabilized condition. But relief had since been replaced with the burden of having to wait until he could visit Mitsu. Then again…

Sage lifted his head when he heard someone clearing their throat, and immediately stood up from his chair to greet his sister. "Finally!" he smiled, though only just. "I was beginning to think you were still on call."

The young blond woman in a long, white doctor's coat smiled more broadly as she strode forward. "Not a chance! I came as soon as I could."

Brother and sister shared a quick but loving hug, when Sage frowned in concern at the slightly dark circles beneath her eyes. "Hey, you okay? No offense but, you look like you've been running yourself ragged."

Yayoi shrugged. "None taken. In my line of business, being the youngest on the frontlines obviously means you have the most time and energy." Despite the pinprick of guilt he felt at the reminder that Mitsu was only one of many patients in Yayoi's care, Sage nodded sympathetically. "You, on the other hand," she added with her examining doctor's gaze, "look like you could use a year's worth of sleep."

Wanting to avoid as long he could the reason behind the barely three hours he'd gotten last night, Sage asked after the rest of their family. "Enough about me. What about Mom and Dad? Grandfather? Satsuki?"

"They're all fine," Yayoi assured him. "In fact, I heard from them just this morning, after you and I last talked. The grid's been flickering on and off all day, so it might be on the verge of coming back."

"That's good," Sage agreed. His loved ones were well, and he might soon be able to contact the guys. He wouldn't be surprised if they had stories like his. Unfortunately, such thoughts reminded Sage again of why they'd separated in the first place. Worse, Yayoi noticed.

"Okay," she smirked teasingly. "What's going on between you and this Mitsu girl?" When he turned sharp eyes on her, Yayoi held her hands up. "I know – it shouldn't be any of my business." But then she reflected Sage's piercing stare back at him. "Still, you're my brother. So at some point, I'll have to get involved."

"There's nothing to get involved in!" Sage insisted loudly, then lowered his voice back down. "I'll admit I am concerned for her. But only because I promised to safely get her and her siblings to Sendai." When Yayoi had brought Sage up to speed on Mitsu's condition earlier, he in turn had recounted how he'd rescued the Tamuras and guided them down the Hirose – minus the wolf incident, of course.

"Oh, yeah," Yayoi nodded. "Can't remember their names, but I saw them with you yesterday and this morning. How are they?"

Thankful for the change of subject, Sage replied, "Sumire is Mitsu's sister; Masaji is their brother. All our rooms are separate. But when I last saw them, they were both concerned for her – like me." He raised his eyebrows to emphasize his previous point, then added, "And they're tough."

"I'll say," Yayoi heartily agreed. "She may have had help, but I don't know how many girls Sumire's age could walk on a sprained ankle for sixteen miles, and in only two days." Then, raising an eyebrow herself, she added insinuatingly, "Nor have I ever seen my little brother this concerned for a girl he's known only three days." Before Sage could protest yet again, Yayoi declared further, "She's awake, you know."

Her news nailed it, but he quickly saw his sister's lure for what it was. "I see what you're trying to pull," he said with suspicious eyes. "It's not gonna work." He then turned his gaze away from her. "Besides, she lied to me!"

Against his grandfather's teachings, Sage had been holding a bit of a grudge ever since he'd deduced the cause of Mitsu's illness. Yayoi's confirmation certainly didn't help. Regardless of Mitsu's intentions, she'd hidden her injury from him, even when it became infected. He'd told himself he shouldn't be surprised he didn't know her as well as he'd thought, given he'd known her only three days like Yayoi said. Even so, the injection of betrayal stung him in that deep place no girl other than Mitsu had reached.

"Well," Yayoi's tone turned critical, "whether you want my input or not, I know you care more than you'll admit because it's obviously upsetting you." When her brother still refused to meet her gaze, she sighed in exasperation. "Listen, Sage. I wasn't there, so I can't speak for Mitsu. But I know it's upsetting her, too."

Sage finally faced his sister again, eyes wide and baffled. "You've talked to her?" True, Yayoi was Mitsu's doctor. Still, it half-startled him that two of the few ladies who meant much to him – or one, rather – had spoken.

"Only a bit," Yayoi admitted. "When I checked her vitals, I could tell something was bothering her, but I didn't say. Right before I left, she asked me to tell you if I saw you how sorry she is, and that she wishes you knew why she didn't speak up." For a moment, Sage could only stand and stare, allowing Yayoi to give a frown of tough love. "I don't know what's happened between you two, but if you wanna patch things up, I say do it while you still can." She then smirked and shrugged again. "But what do I know? I'm just the nosy big sister."

Although Sage was inclined to agree, Yayoi had a point. Despite his bitterness over Mitsu's deception and misgivings about risking further betrayal, he couldn't deny, however much he wanted to, that he did want to mend things with her – even as he still denied that it was beyond wanting to be on good terms with her if they were to work together as Ronin Warriors. With a small sigh, Sage addressed Yayoi one more time.

"Alright; for once, you might be on to something," he admitted with the slightest hint of teasing. More seriously, he added, "Since the shelter is right next to it, I thought I'd get some fresh air at Aobayama Park. If Mitsu is well enough, would you mind bringing her to meet me there in about an hour?"

Yayoi glanced away briefly, obviously expecting her next order from a coworker any second now. "Well, whether or not I can do it will be up to my superiors. But if I can't, I will get someone else to."

Sage smiled sincerely, glad that he and his sister were on the same page. "Thanks, Yayoi. You're the best."

"I know," Yayoi returned her brother's smile again, until she gave him one more stern look. "Just don't chew her out. That's the last thing she needs."

Though initially appalled that she felt the need to tell him that, Sage shook his head. "Of course not," he assured her.

The two siblings then shared one last hasty but heartfelt hug, right before Yayoi was called away to tend another patient, leaving Sage once more with his thoughts on Mitsu. He sighed more heavily than before, hoping not only that they would make up, but also that he would finally muster the courage to tell her why he'd sought her out to begin with.

~*~

Later, as he sat alone on one of the benches in the center of Aobayama Park, Sage resisted the temptation to put his head in his hands like before. Despite his natural patience, even he had his limits, especially when something this important was involved. Hoping to relax, he scanned the surrounding area. Although the park had technically been closed down like all other nonessential public facilities after the earthquake, it was nice to see the vibrantly green lawns and sakura trees still in bloom, as if in defiance of the recent catastrophe.

"Excuse me, sir," a teasing feminine voice eventually spoke. "Is this seat taken?" Sage's gaze flew up to see Mitsu, and he half-jumped in surprise – which quickly turned rather pleasant when he took in her remarkable appearance. Indeed, without prior knowledge, one would never have guessed she'd passed out yesterday.

Not only had she changed clothes. She appeared showered and well-rested. She no longer shivered. The color had returned to her skin, and the shine to her hair. And now that the dark circles beneath them had vanished, her green eyes glowed with new life. So taken aback was he by this transformation that it took longer than it otherwise would have for Sage to find his voice.

"Sorry," Mitsu frowned sheepishly. "I probably shouldn't have." Suddenly, her smile returned – and further disarmed Sage as it reminded him of the first one she'd given him. "But after being sick and confined to a stuffy room, talk about a breath of fresh air!" As if to emphasize her point, Mitsu closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she breathed in the alleviating summer breeze.

Sage took the opportunity to see who'd brought her, and felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and gratitude when he spotted Yayoi at the far end of the field. Embarrassment that she was watching them, even if from a distance – but also gratitude for her efforts in helping Mitsu recover so well already. He then turned again in time to see Mitsu sit beside him on the bench.

"If only I didn't have to wear this." She lifted her right wrist, showing the bandage wrapped around it and IV needle taped down on the back of her hand. "On the other hand," she moved on, chuckling at her own joke, "I've met your sister." Sage winced as he felt his face warm. "And she was very kind and efficient," Mitsu added, having apparently picked up his apprehension. "Figures though that she would be, given you two are related."

"Thanks," Sage replied genuinely, deciding to go along with her, at least for now. "I really am glad to have found her here. Speaking of which, have your siblings visited you yet?"

Mitsu smirked. "Masaji won't stop geeking out about my faceoff with the wolves. And now that Sumire has an actual cast for her ankle, she's fussing over me." She laughed softly, and Sage couldn't help but join in. He hadn't known until now how much he liked it when she was in good spirits.

"I'm glad we all turned out okay," he spoke just as sincerely as before, when he remembered one more question. "What about your parents? Have you seen them?"

Mitsu's face fell somewhat, and she replied bittersweetly, "No." Cautionary hope then seemed to brighten her gaze as she added, "But we have heard from them. They're at another shelter on the other side of the city. I don't know when we'll see them again. Still, the important thing is we're all fine." Yet despite all this good news, her face almost immediately fell again, and far more grimly this time. "But I know that's not why you wanted to talk."

Although glad to have shared in her relief, now that they'd reached the inevitable purpose of this discussion, Sage shook his head. "You're right. It's not…"

During the uncomfortable silence that followed, Mitsu's gaze slowly drifted away – but Sage had already spotted both remorse and resentment in it. What's gotten into her? "Mitsu, why didn't you tell me about your foot?" When she didn't answer or even so much as spare him a glance, he leaned forward slightly and asked more gravely, "Mitsu, do you know how dangerous it is to let even a small cut go untreated?" In an instant, she fixed a half-glare on him, eyes glinting with annoyance.

"No, apparently, I don't!" she replied sarcastically. Without pausing, she turned in her seat so that she was fully facing him. "In my defense," she added more seriously, "I didn't think it would get this bad. At least, not at first." Sage raised a skeptical eyebrow, but she elaborated. "When I checked on it during my night shift back at the ravine, it looked to me like it was healing. But then something must've happened to it when we rescued each other and Masaji from the river – according to Yayoi, anyway."

Ignoring his discomfort at hearing Mitsu call his sister by her given name, Sage retorted, "Regardless, you needlessly risked your own health – if not your life." And betrayed my trust… "Though how am I supposed to know why when you still haven't told me? For that matter, if you're this willing to risk yourself, what makes you any different from Masaji?!"

Mitsu's gaze flashed with warning. "Don't bring my brother into this, Sage! What he did was different – completely and utterly!"

"Not to me, it isn't!" Sage gave her a hard stare. "If anything, the only real difference is that his stunt was more obvious." He then caught Yayoi's blond hair at the corner of his eye, and quickly remembered her admonition. But even after he regained control of himself, he was no less aggravated. "Mitsu, you asked Masaji what possessed him to do what he did. Well, I'm asking the same of you – now."

Against his expectations, rather than resist him and argue further, Mitsu frowned solemnly, likely acknowledging she'd been backed into a corner. "Okay… You're right, I do owe you the truth – especially now." Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly admitted, "I didn't tell you about my foot because…I didn't know if I could trust you." Sage furrowed confused eyebrows at her, and Mitsu hung her head with a low groan. "You're gonna think I'm so shallow."

"I only want the truth," he urged, but without the previous edge in his tone.

Eventually, after running both hands down her face, Mitsu finally relented. With visible effort, she forced herself to confess. "I didn't know if I could trust you at first because…you just looked too good to be true."

Initially, Sage thought to ask Mitsu what she meant, until he recalled her fear of coming across as shallow. "You mean, you judged me, based on my good looks?" he asked, puzzled rather than accusing. While he could tell she wasn't lying, it didn't make any immediate sense. Still, he felt equally fascinated and indignant at the notion that this girl may be the first to evidently be repulsed by his features instead of drawn to them.

With the truth now out, Mitsu promptly explained. "It's an issue I've had for awhile now, judging books by their covers." She stared at the IV in her hand. "Three years ago, when I was Sumire's age, I had a crush on my senpai. He was a bit rough around the edges, but…he was also handsome." Sensing he might be on to something, Sage listened intently to every word that followed.

"One time, I asked him out to this school dance. We agreed to meet there at six-thirty, right when it would start to get good." Mitsu paused, and her tone was wistful when she picked up her tale again. "But…after my dad dropped me off, I waited and waited…and my senpai never came. He didn't so much as call or text, even though we'd exchanged numbers."

The more she told, the more Sage felt strangely hostile toward this sorry excuse for a senpai, and not just because such behavior went against everything he'd been taught about social courtesy. More than just standing Mitsu up…this guy had hurt her. And when she met Sage's gaze once more, hers was alarmingly dim. "But here's the real kicker. When I next heard about him, he and his 'buddies' had gotten busted for underage drinking. And I don't mean like a couple glasses – they were wasted when the cops found them."

Stunned at this ending to Mitsu's story, Sage let his mouth hang open. It reminded him of a similar arrest of students from his high school – his dad had been among the first officers at the scene. And with that reminder, Sage instantly realized that, had any of those guys ditched his younger sister Satsuki for their bottles of sake…he wouldn't have been any less livid.

Mitsu by contrast only appeared disappointed. "Yeah, it could've been way worse," she admitted with the same wistfulness as before. "I'm glad he revealed his true colors when he did. Still…" She sighed heavily. "Ever since, I figured all good-looking guys would play any girl dumb enough to fall for their charm – until they hang her out to dry and move on to the next sucker."

At once, understanding finally dawned on Sage. She thought I'd abandon her and her siblings if she revealed that something was wrong with her. While there was a tinge of bitterness that she'd thought so low of him, when Mitsu all but gazed at him with remorseful eyes, he felt them tug at his heartstrings.

"But now, in light of all you've done for us – me and my family – since you and I met, I see that you and my senpai are like night and day – total opposites." She briefly pressed her lips together. "When my cut got infected though, I was afraid you'd get angry at me if I told you. I didn't want to think I was betraying you. But…yeah, I only just made things worse." Then, with utmost sincerity in her features and tone, she stated, "The point is, I've misjudged you, Sage. And…I'm sorry."

At first, Sage didn't know what to say. Although he still didn't condone her actions, he felt surprisingly touched at the level of understanding they'd reached, and soon voiced his appreciation. "Thanks for opening up to me, Mitsu." More fiercely, he added, "If I knew that scumbag…I'd throttle him!"

"What do you mean?" Mitsu asked in baffled confusion. "It had nothing to do with you."

"Maybe not, but still…" Though uncertain as to how she'd receive his words, he gazed at her in deep sympathy. "I'm so sorry he broke your heart like that." And I'd be even sorrier if it ever broke again because of me.

Mitsu's eyes widened slightly. But then, the corners of her mouth lifted in the smallest smile, and she dipped her chin gratefully at him. "Thanks, Sage. Thanks for understanding." Another silence passed between them, but it didn't feel nearly as uncomfortable this time around.

Suddenly, as if remembering an important matter, Mitsu said, "Actually, there's something else I wanna bring up." Just as suddenly, Sage felt apprehensive about what she had in mind. But he gestured for Mitsu to go ahead. "There is still plenty I don't know about you, but… Remember when you told me you were a soldier?" Sage nodded, relieved he was wrong in addition to being reminded that he'd wanted to discuss this, too. "What did you mean by that, exactly?"

Even before she posed her question, Sage knew the time had come to tell Mitsu of their shared destinies. It'd been three days, and they were alone – or at least out of earshot from Yayoi. Wanting to proceed carefully, he took a deep breath. This is it; no going back. With renewed resolve, Sage's unblinking eyes met Mitsu's. "Well, I'm part of a…special force – so to speak – made up of only me, and four other guys my age. No one knows about us, not even the emperor or prime minister. Still, we strive to protect not just Japan, but the entire world."

Mitsu's eyes widened, but more in interest than alarm. "From what?" Whatever she thought about this, Sage was nonetheless grateful for her willingness to listen. After sweeping his gaze around the area, he leaned forward, and silently urged Mitsu to do likewise.

With complete seriousness, he replied softly, "They're called the Dynasty of the Nether Realm. They aren't like your everyday bad guys. They aren't even human. They're pure evil, and my fellow warriors and I are the earth's only line of defense against them."

"Warriors?" Mitsu gasped lightly, then stopped Sage before he could explain further. "Wait. If everything you just said is top-secret, why are you telling it to me?"

Hopeful that she'd be receptive to this most crucial part of his story, Sage elaborated. "My teammates and I were recently informed of five other warriors – but we had to find them. This might sound crazy but…I do believe you're one of them."

Mitsu sat straight again, complete and utter surprise now shaping her face. "Me?" she asked, pointing at herself. "What makes you think I'm one of these warriors?" Sage was about to answer, when a distant yet startling thunderclap prompted both him and Mitsu to look ahead.

Somehow, he hadn't noticed it until now, but a blanket of gray clouds had spread across the sky as far as the eye could see in all directions. The further away they stretched, the more they darkened, until they were only one shade away from black at the horizon. From there, white light flashed every other second, clearly portending a coming storm. But most bizarre and unnerving of all was a new sense of unease that made Sage's skin crawl. "Something's…off…"

"I know," Mitsu breathed. While glad he wasn't alone in his reasoning, Sage's gaze moved as though guided by an unseen force, eventually resting on one particular structure not too far from the park – Aoba Castle. Once the home of his Date ancestors, it'd since been watching over Sendai for over four centuries.

But before Sage could wonder what exactly was calling him there, both he and Mitsu turned their heads when they heard someone – Yayoi – approach from behind. "Hate to interrupt your little get-together," she said, "but I need to get back to work, and we all need to get outta here before it rains."

Discouraged though he was, Sage couldn't come up with an excuse to argue otherwise. At the very least, he and Mitsu seemed to be of the same mind. "Alright," he sighed. "And thanks, Yayoi, for bringing Mitsu. I owe you one."

"You're welcome." With a smirk, Yayoi added, "And I'll remind you." Ignoring the urge to roll his eyes, Sage embarked back toward the shelter with Mitsu at his side behind his sister, who was already venting her frustration. "Just what we need! And only three days after that earthquake!"

With Yayoi's back turned, Sage leaned toward Mitsu and said in a low tone, "I'll tell you the rest later, I promise." Mitsu nodded her thanks, and with that settled, he allowed himself one last look at the castle. Though he still wasn't entirely sure what had set him on edge, his instincts teamed up with his curiosity. I'll have to investigate as soon as possible. Whatever's there, no way am I running again!

~*~

As she turned onto her back to stare at the ceiling of her room, Mitsu wondered if Sage was also ironically too restless to sleep. Ever since they'd separated over twelve hours ago – after which Yayoi had finally removed that dully painful IV – she'd felt more anxious than she had in a long time. It'd lessened for awhile when she hung out with her siblings the following evening, trying to keep the inside mood light while the dark storm battered the outside, until everyone went to bed. And so, here she was at five in the morning, having gotten only snippets of sleep – if even that.

Every other time she closed her eyes, Mitsu was met with one of two images – either her dream in which her shadow stood above Sage's, or her real-life confrontation with the hellhounds. Whenever she saw the latter, a silent voice incessantly warned her that that wasn't the last she'd seen of them, that they were still out there. Eventually, Mitsu was forced to admit that she would never rest until she addressed the issues demanding her attention.

The first was the most obvious. Reluctant though she'd been at first, Mitsu had long since accepted that her feelings for the young blond man who'd rescued her and her family in more ways than one had grown beyond simple affection. Were she to describe it in one word, only one felt honest – love.

She remembered feeling uncharacteristically nervous when Yayoi took her to meet Sage at the park – greeting him with teasing being the only way she could cope. Once they started talking though, it reminded Mitsu of a similar conversation they had after the first day they'd traveled – even if they hit a few bumps on the road this time. But then came the moment when she revealed to Sage why she'd initially distrusted him – the first time she shared the story of her drunk senpai with someone outside her family.

By the time she was nearing the end, Mitsu had been practically forcing the words from her mouth, telling herself she didn't care what Sage thought…even as she hoped beyond reason that he'd understand. When she did finish, she half-expected him to dismiss her as silly or get angry that this was the origin of her false judgment of him. But he did neither of those things. Rather…he was sorry her senpai had broken her heart.

In hindsight, Mitsu was now certain that that was the moment she knew she loved Sage – despite the time it'd taken after to wrap her obstinate head around. And whatever he felt about her, she'd always hold on to those feelings as a reminder that she was still capable of love. Still, to have him return those feelings…

Thunder sounded, and Mitsu sat bolt upright with a gasp. But it wasn't the boom that'd jolted her wide-awake – it was a startling realization she'd just made. Had there not been people sleeping in nearly every room of the tented hallway, Mitsu would've exclaimed the words now racing through her mind out loud. But she was no less excited. I know what it all means! I know what that ghost woman meant! I know what Sage was talking about! I know what everything means!

Before long, Mitsu was navigating the maze of corridors and aisles made from the tents of the shelter, taking care to not draw attention to herself and hide whenever she needed to. Regardless, nothing was going to stop her from telling Sage what she now knew, particularly the meaning of the spirit woman's riddle.

"You have a great light within you, Mitsu. But in order for it to shine, you must break through the storm clouds blocking it."

And she had. The storm clouds had been her own pride and stubbornness. And ever since Sage came into her life, she'd learned to admit when she was wrong and to accept help. She'd learned to be gracious. Moreover, she'd learned of the connection between her dream and Sage's secret life as a warrior, even if she had yet to know the actual details regarding the latter. For now though, she had to find him. And she had a strong feeling he wasn't in the shelter.

When they'd both felt that sense of foreboding brought on by that mass of clouds, Mitsu had noticed how Sage stared knowingly at Aoba Castle. If she was right, he must've figured something was going down there, and no way was he going to let a mystery like this go unsolved. Mitsu thought the same for herself when she finally exited the complex of tents and found herself back in Aobayama Park.

Although it'd stopped raining long ago, even in the darkness of the last hour before daybreak, she could nonetheless see the inanimate witnesses of last night's storm. Leaves, sakura petals, and branches were scattered haphazardly everywhere. The grass also was still wet, as evidenced by the squelching noises made by Mitsu's slippered feet, forcing her onto the paved pathway instead.

Once there, her eyes focused on the main keep of Aoba Castle, and the lightening horizon beyond that heralded the looming sunrise. With no time to lose, Mitsu ran straight for the castle without looking back.

~*~

"To arms!" Sage's shout echoed from the castle walls as he ditched his original clothes for his sub-armor. With dawn fast approaching, he'd have to be faster if he wanted to locate this new threat. Only half an hour ago, he woke up in his bed back at the shelter in a cold sweat. Despite promising himself yesterday evening that he'd rest his eyes only until he could sneak out under cover of night, he'd apparently been more tired than he thought. Still, his sixth sense remained sharp, and it'd woken him before his chance could be lost along with the darkness.

Whatever evil lurked within this fortress, Sage had felt its distinctive presence the moment he entered, and remained alert as he embarked through the halls shrouded in shadow – as well as irony. As a descendant of the Date clan, Sage had visited this castle plenty of times growing up. I should feel safe in the home of my ancestors. Instead, I feel anything but. And that wasn't all he felt. Ever since he left the shelter, a bizarre sense of guilt had been nagging at him, and only now did he realize why.

Initially, he'd reasoned that he didn't want her to get caught in the potential crossfire. Now, that explanation came up woefully short. As a fellow Ronin Warrior, even if she still had yet to awaken her powers, Mitsu was eventually going to have to face the enemy alongside him. So why hadn't he brought her?

Even if she'd risked her health, she'd also rescued him from the river, stood up to the wolves, and seemed determined to judge him based on his character rather than appearance – even if she didn't always succeed in doing so. Were she not a Ronin Warrior, it would've been no less obvious to Sage that Mitsu – despite her audacious tendencies – could clearly take care of herself. Never would he have believed just a few days ago that the trappings of a maiko could hide the spirit of an onna-bugeisha.

Maybe that was why he didn't bring her. Maybe he didn't want to own up to how he'd misjudged her, too. Maybe he didn't want to admit why Mitsu had so captivated and frustrated him in equal measure since that dream that now seemed a distant memory… Suddenly, Sage found himself in the castle's main hall. He knew it because here, unlike every other area he'd traveled through so far, there was a light source – a doorway to the battlements on the top floor.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but Sage soon realized he didn't need it to know he wasn't alone. And the ominous laughter rumbling from the room's occupants wasn't exactly comforting confirmation. Still, as the Ronin Warrior he was, Sage took a defensive stance and demanded, "Who are you?! Come out and face me!" He hadn't exactly expected obedience, but he remained on edge when a particularly burly silhouette emerged from the dark along with two others, one on either side. Dynasty soldiers!

Upon recognizing them, Sage's blood began to boil. He quickly reasoned the one in the middle was the leader, given he stretched taller than the two flanking him. "It's been too long, Ronin Warrior!" his deep voice boomed.

Undeterred, Sage retorted, "Not long enough! I don't know what your business is here, but my fellow warriors and I have defeated your master twice before. We can do it a third time!"

The leader scoffed. "You underestimate the strength of our master's power! For that matter…" He looked around briefly. "Where are your fellow warriors? Looks to me like you're all alone!"

"Doesn't mean I can't take on all of you alone!" Immediately, Sage made good on his word, diving for the demon soldier on his left and knocking him over with a blow from his elbow. He then leaped and incapacitated the other as well with a swift kick to the head. But before he could go for their leader, the two soldiers he'd just downed rose again, and tackled him before he could dodge either. Sage let out a furious shout as he was hurled to the ground and pinned there. The leader laughed mockingly while he struggled.

"Thought we'd be pushovers, didn't you? Your female friend may have scared us off the other day, but she's not here to save you this time!" Against his better judgment, Sage froze at the first half of the latter statement, prompting the leader to speak condescendingly. "That's right…"

His eyes and those of all the other Dynasty soldiers turned red, and Sage was momentarily stunned to realize what that meant. "You…! You were the hellhounds!"

"Oh, I'm touched that you missed us!" The leader then deigned to kneel in front of his captive so that their gazes met more easily. "Now that we've shown you who we are, show us where she is, and I'll order these two dogs to release you."

In spite of the combined weight of the soldiers causing him considerable pain, once Mitsu was brought up, Sage doubled down. "Never!"

Obviously not one to take "no" for an answer, the leader shook his head disapprovingly. "Oh, so unwise!" He then stood at his full height, and Sage prepared himself for whatever brutal treatment he was about to receive.

~*~

While the sinister specter and Sage carried on a conversation that'd quickly become one-sided, outside, right beside the doorway to the battlements, a lone eavesdropper gasped. She'd only just made it to the castle when she'd heard malevolent voices along with Sage's coming from inside. Then came the sounds of conflict. With no time to race through the fortress, she'd somehow found the strength and speed to climb all the way up to the battlements.

She'd only just pressed her back against the wall to both hide and listen when Sage declared that his oppressors – whoever they were – were themselves the ravenous wolves she'd faced. Though her rational side said that was impossible, she was immediately reminded of the peril Sage was in when he refused to tell his tormentors where she was. And it was this – combined with the young man's touching bravery – that inspired her find her own courage.

Steeling herself, she stood in the doorway just in time to see Sage about to get it while he was pinned to the floor. Lifting her hand, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Stop!"

As dozens of pairs of eyes flew up to greet this intruder, Sage gasped in shock. "Mitsu!"

But she barely heard him. As she beheld an army of imposing soldiers clad in iron armor, Mitsu found herself stupefied not only at the wave upon revolting wave of evil coming from them, but also a new realization just as mind-blowing if not more so than the one before. It's the scene from my dream! It's come to life!

And she would've remained in her stupor were it not for the menacing growl she instantly recognized despite having heard it only once. Turning her head toward the source, Mitsu was met with the searing, red-eyed glare of a soldier taller than all the others – and she knew this was the pack leader she'd thrown a rock at. "Who do you think you are, missy?!" he half-demanded, half-barked. "Couldn't resist crashing our little party, could you?!"

If he'd planned to intimidate her, his words had the opposite effect. Filled with the same determination from their first encounter, Mitsu brazenly replied, "I think – no, I know I'm a chosen warrior! And if you're all from the Nether World, I'm gonna make you wish you never left it!"

"Ha!" The leader barked again in sardonic laughter before scowling at her even more intensely. "You and what army?!"

Mitsu's nostrils flared as she pointed at herself with her thumb. "Army of me, you monster!"

All of a sudden, a great, galvanizing shock charged through every one of her veins as a lightning bolt tore through the clouds and struck her. Yet instead of dying or even being injured, Mitsu felt an exhilaration unlike any she'd ever known in her life. The next thing she knew, she was surrounded by electricity, and in place of her original clothes was what appeared to be green sub-armor. But most bizarre of all was a strange heat at the center of her forehead, causing her to shut her eyes and inexplicably hiss, "Grace…?"

Immediately after, she heard Sage's voice echo excitedly in her ears. "Mitsu! Armor up! It's the only way you can beat these guys! You're a Ronin Warrior!"

A…Ronin Warrior? Mitsu wondered as she struggled to comprehend all this. Is that what he is? Is…is that what I am?!

The demonic army leader's voice then echoed just as loudly. "Oh, shut him up already! Then we'll finish her off!"

Mitsu's eyes flashed open. "Oh no you don't!" And as if by instinct, she knew just what to shout to turn things around in her and Sage's favor. "Armor of Radiance! DAO REI!"

With these words, an orb of divine green light enveloped her thrown-out hand. Turning it into a fist and raising it high, she closed her eyes again, allowing the light to bathe her in its warmth and lift the corners of her mouth. Her smile only grew when she reopened her eyes to see the amazed – if not alarmed – gazes of everyone in the room, including Sage. She was now something far better than a maiko or even an onna-bugeisha. She was what she was meant to be. She was a Ronin Warrior!

"I am Mitsu of the Radiance!" she boldly declared. "On behalf of grace, I fight to expel evil done in darkness with light!" She then shot a hand up, and the sky promptly granted her wish. The lightning bolt that landed on her palm with a thunderclap transformed into a most worthy sword – an uchigatana. Sweeping the blade in front of her, Mitsu stared down the soldiers just as she'd done when they were wolves, daring any of them to oppose her.

~*~

"Mitsu…?" Sage breathed in utter bewilderment. Although he knew her for the young woman he should've brought in the first place, she seemed someone else with her newly-awakened powers. She'd looked awe-inspiring enough when she first appeared in the doorway, right when the sun rose and its light surrounded her as though it were a halo of glory. But now that she'd armored up for the first time, had Sage not known better, he would've thought her to be Amaterasu having just emerged from her cave.

As for Mitsu's armor, the only thing it shared with his was the color. The rest was completely her own, protecting only her four limbs, right shoulder, chest, and waist. The two most obvious differences were the kimono – its skirt stretching to her knees and single sleeve covering her left arm – and headband in place of a helmet. Beneath her lids that'd been painted green, her eyes were electric with their sparkling. And her uchigatana instantly reminded Sage of the one used to stop his rogue armor from killing his past self in his dream.

He moved to stand up, but was quickly shoved down again by the two "dogs." Knowing he'd be of no help to Mitsu like this, Sage gathered every ounce of strength within him, and shouted his effort as he threw the soldiers off in a powerful blast. After gaining his feet, he faced the rest of the army and yelled, "Mitsu! Go for the leader! I'll keep the others busy!"

"What about you?" she yelled back in rather poignant concern. "There are so many!"

"Don't worry about me!" he shouted past his shoulder. "I've dealt with these guys before!" Suddenly, their eyes met, and Sage saw something in Mitsu's that, though time didn't allow him to dwell on it, nonetheless gave him just the words to say that he knew would encourage her. With complete candor, he exclaimed in a reassuring tone, "This is your fight, Mitsu! You can do this! I know you can!"

~*~

If Mitsu had had any previous doubts about Sage's opinion of her, they vanished with the nighttime darkness. The sincerity in his gaze, voice, and words were all she needed to know he felt for her the same way she did him – and more than enough to inspire her into action. With a grateful nod, she leaped from the ledge before landing remarkably lightly on the floor – and receiving an immediate, dubious welcome when a growl erupted behind her. "You're mine, green grunge!"

Tightly gripping the hilt of her sword, Mitsu spun around just in time for her blade to meet the behemoth's spear with a sharp, definitive CLING! While their weapons remained locked, she grinned defiantly. "Not today, tinhead!" She then broke the stalemate by swinging her blade at her opponent. And soon, clashes and clangs were echoing from the walls as their weapons met again and again.

As the fight raged on, Mitsu noticed with pleasant surprise that her skill in swordplay, while decent before, now seemed to have been dialed up to eleven – then again, never before had she fought for her life against such a beastly foe. Whatever trick he tried to pull, she dodged his blows or countered them with her own. Yet one thing threatened to nibble away at her concentration. Although she could hear Sage plowing through the soldiers one by one, she also couldn't help but wonder if something would eventually go wrong.

And it did as soon as the thought entered her mind. Her lapse in focus having been picked up by her enemy, he deftly knocked her sword aside, and Mitsu's eyes went wide as she realized she was at his rapidly diminishing mercy.

~*~

Once he heard a blade hit the ground, Sage looked to see Mitsu's sword skidding across the floor. Lifting his gaze, he stiffened with horror when he saw her about to fall victim to the army leader's savagery. "MITSU!" he shouted fearfully. As if the sound of her name had snapped her out of a trance, Mitsu spotted her sword, and leaped for it right as the leader hurled down his spear.

Faster than Sage could keep up with, she dove in a forward roll before nimbly regaining her feet and turning back around, weapon in hand again and eyes narrowed at the villain. "Sorry to steal your thunder!" she exclaimed. "But your 'little party' is over!" Mitsu then held her sword in front of her, one hand holding the hilt and the other touching the end of the blade, from which electrical sparks began surging.

"BLINDING FLASH BEAM!" Her sword now audibly ringing with illumination, Mitsu spun in a full circle before lifting it high with both hands, and a pure ray of unfiltered light exploded from her blade in a display of dazzling brilliance that put even the sun to shame.

"Holy–!" Sage gave voice to his sheer astonishment, shielding his eyes to keep from being blinded himself. But the effect on him was minor compared to what Mitsu unleashed on her demonic enemies. Through the boom of thunder and crackle of lightning, the combined bellows of agonized defeat sounded from the army and their leader as though from a distance.

When Sage finally opened his eyes, his mouth fell open too when he saw that not one soldier had been spared. The room's only remaining occupant other than himself stood in a pool of early morning light in the center. And as he gazed upon the female warrior who resembled a living, emerald green lightning bolt, Sage didn't think he'd ever seen a more strikingly beautiful lady. Only when she dropped her sword and crumpled to her knees with a groan did he realize how exhausted she actually was.

Fearing she'd collapse as she did two days ago, he hastened toward her, arms outstretched. "Mitsu!"

"No, wait! Don't touch me!" Mitsu cried as she shot a hand out, causing him to stop in alarm. "I…I might electrocute you."

Relieved that that wasn't an issue, Sage shook his head. "No, no, it's fine. I'm used to it." Kneeling down next to her panting form, he asked softly, "Can you stand?"

Mitsu dipped her chin, and her breathing slowly started returning to normal. "Yeah. But…" Lifting her soulful green eyes to meet his, she asked, "Mind giving me a hand?"

Sage smiled. "No problem." With a firm but gentle hold, he steadily helped her up, letting go only when he was certain she wouldn't keel over – and bizarrely missing her touch already.

"Man…" Mitsu exhaled in unfettered surprise as her gaze encircled the room. "I must've obliterated them, huh?" Facing him again, she asked, "Is this really what you and your friends do for a living?"

Sage couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, maybe not a living but, it's a good side-gig."

Mitsu then looked away, and though he was probably not supposed to, he heard her mutter, "So this really is what that woman meant."

Struck with curiosity, Sage quickly but carefully took hold of her shoulders, causing her startled gaze to fly back up. "What woman?" he asked.

After a moment's hesitation, Mitsu shoved it aside to explain. "Last week, I had a dream in which this spirit woman showed me the moment when I appeared in the doorway just now. Of course, it was all foggy, and I had no idea what it meant at the time. But…then I met you and, you told me about your secret double life. That's why I came here – to find you and tell you what I figured out – and then the moment that woman showed me happened for real."

Now Sage was certain he was on to something. "Do you remember what she looked like? Did she wear a long white robe and carry a rosary? Did she have bright red hair?"

Mitsu didn't answer, until her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open with excited realization. "Yes…! Yes, that's exactly what she looked like! Do you know who she is?"

Sage nodded in delight. "I think you met Suzunagi, Mitsu." He then proceeded to fill her in. "She's…like an unofficial superior. She can see into the future. That was how she learned of you and the other female warriors, and then told me and my friends. She also created the armors the guys and I bear, which are similar to yours. Mine is the armor of Halo. The rest of the guys bear the armors of Wildfire, Torrent, Hardrock, and Strata. Together, we're called Ronin Warriors."

To his relief, Mitsu seemed to fully take his word for it. "But wait, what about my armor – and those of the other female warriors? You think that woman – Suzunagi – created them as well?"

"It's possible," Sage conceded. "Honestly though, for now…I'm just happy you've awakened your powers!" He and Mitsu then softly laughed in shared relief – when he saw in her eyes the same thing that'd inspired the words he used to spur her on. Now, with the army gone, he could try and figure out what it was.

Whether or not it was due to her new power, what Sage saw in Mitsu's gaze went beyond that deep place she'd reached in him and illuminated an even deeper one he didn't know existed. He wondered what could so affect him like this…until he realized he already knew. It'd been in there – in him – all along. He just hadn't been willing to name it before. And it could only be called one thing…

Love. Mitsu loved him. And now, Sage knew he loved her, too. But rather than being repulsed by it, he didn't think he'd been more pleasantly surprised in his life. It made him understand that he desired for her to utilize her strengths not just as a Ronin Warrior, but as a person…

"Sage?" When he saw Mitsu staring questioningly at him, Sage sighed as he found himself in the same position from less than twenty-four hours ago. In this case, it was high time he acknowledged his feelings.

"Mitsu… How do I say this?" He glanced away, but then met her stare head-on as he would an opponent's in a kendo match. "I know we haven't known each other long, but…I feel like I've gotten to know you so well." He dared to brush his fingernails across her cheek. "I don't think I've ever known a girl like you. You're smart, brave, and selfless…if a bit reckless." Realizing he needed to get to the point, he gazed into her now mystified eyes. "Mitsu…I love you. And…there's no other onna-bugeisha I'd rather fight alongside!"

Mitsu chuckled softly, and leaned her warm cheek into his palm. "I love you too, Sage. And there's no other samurai I'd rather fight alongside!" Without any warning, she then threw her arms around him, startling him into staggering back a couple steps. But Sage regained his balance, and promptly returned her embrace.

Although neither knew how long they stayed there, the two warriors of light felt the warmth of the dawning sun spread into their hearts, binding them so that no darkness – not even that of the Dynasty – could eclipse either from the other.

Description

Episode 9 – Grace in the Radiance

Sage groaned as he buried his face in his hands. He'd been sitting only ten minutes outside one of the dozens of tents that made up the relief shelter – one of many that'd been set up all over Japan following the earthquake – but it felt like an hour. Though he knew it wouldn't be his sister's fault, he'd hate it if Yayoi was delayed and they couldn't catch up like they'd planned. Unable to keep his treacherous thoughts at bay any longer, he found himself once again dwelling on yesterday's events.

Although his warrior instincts had deemed it cowardly, Sage had had a good reason to flee rather than fight off the wolves. Normally, he wouldn't have hesitated to armor up and decimate those hellhounds. But with the Tamuras watching his every move, he couldn't risk it. As for Mitsu, he'd been certain she'd lost her mind when she commanded everyone to climb the rock face – but it wasn't until she faced down the pack that he understood why. Though she may not have known it, Mitsu's decision meant her powers would soon awaken.

All Ronin Warriors had that fighting instinct when facing such dangerous foes – any other person would've kept on running. Likewise, whereas those wolves would've devoured any other who dared stand up to them, when Mitsu took that dare, they ended up being the ones to turn and run. In hindsight, Sage now knew it was her noble warrior's heart that'd compelled the creatures to flee as demons would from the sacred – tossing the rock was just the catalyst. Yet despite her incredible bravery – foolhardy though it was – he couldn't overlook what'd immediately followed.

Only in a handful of instances in his life so far had Sage felt fear, and he became reacquainted with it when Mitsu nearly fell off the cliff – having only caught her because Sumire had climbed off his back once they were all safe again. Never would he forget how that same fear coursed through his veins as he'd hurried Mitsu toward the road, rendering him temporarily incapable of thinking about anything but her.

Just as Sumire had said, the road quickly led to a bridge – which was guarded by law-enforcers on both sealed-off ends. Sage had known he and the Tamuras must've presented a startling sight with their dirty two-day-old clothes and weather-battered forms. Regardless, he'd hastily introduced himself and his charges before informing the officers that the barely conscious lady at his side required immediate aid.

Fortunately, Sage and his party were promptly escorted past the roadblocks and to the medical quarter of this shelter at the outskirts of Sendai. Once there, he was further floored upon recognizing one of the doctors as his older sister – not that he wasn't glad to see her well and safe. But although he'd since decided there was nobody he trusted more with Mitsu's case, that wouldn't have made it any easier to hand Mitsu over after she collapsed. Nor would it have shortened that day's remaining hours – which were now among the longest Sage had known in his life.

When the authorities interviewed him and Mitsu's siblings about their experiences, he'd been so distracted he nearly mentioned the wolves – which he, Sumire, and Masaji had agreed to keep secret. Even when they'd received food, showers, fresh clothes, medical attention, and rooms to sleep in afterward, it was agonizing remaining in the dark about Mitsu's wellbeing. Only this morning had Yayoi been able to briefly inform him of her stabilized condition. But relief had since been replaced with the burden of having to wait until he could visit Mitsu. Then again…

Sage lifted his head when he heard someone clearing their throat, and immediately stood up from his chair to greet his sister. "Finally!" he smiled, though only just. "I was beginning to think you were still on call."

The young blond woman in a long, white doctor's coat smiled more broadly as she strode forward. "Not a chance! I came as soon as I could."

Brother and sister shared a quick but loving hug, when Sage frowned in concern at the slightly dark circles beneath her eyes. "Hey, you okay? No offense but, you look like you've been running yourself ragged."

Yayoi shrugged. "None taken. In my line of business, being the youngest on the frontlines obviously means you have the most time and energy." Despite the pinprick of guilt he felt at the reminder that Mitsu was only one of many patients in Yayoi's care, Sage nodded sympathetically. "You, on the other hand," she added with her examining doctor's gaze, "look like you could use a year's worth of sleep."

Wanting to avoid as long he could the reason behind the barely three hours he'd gotten last night, Sage asked after the rest of their family. "Enough about me. What about Mom and Dad? Grandfather? Satsuki?"

"They're all fine," Yayoi assured him. "In fact, I heard from them just this morning, after you and I last talked. The grid's been flickering on and off all day, so it might be on the verge of coming back."

"That's good," Sage agreed. His loved ones were well, and he might soon be able to contact the guys. He wouldn't be surprised if they had stories like his. Unfortunately, such thoughts reminded Sage again of why they'd separated in the first place. Worse, Yayoi noticed.

"Okay," she smirked teasingly. "What's going on between you and this Mitsu girl?" When he turned sharp eyes on her, Yayoi held her hands up. "I know – it shouldn't be any of my business." But then she reflected Sage's piercing stare back at him. "Still, you're my brother. So at some point, I'll have to get involved."

"There's nothing to get involved in!" Sage insisted loudly, then lowered his voice back down. "I'll admit I am concerned for her. But only because I promised to safely get her and her siblings to Sendai." When Yayoi had brought Sage up to speed on Mitsu's condition earlier, he in turn had recounted how he'd rescued the Tamuras and guided them down the Hirose – minus the wolf incident, of course.

"Oh, yeah," Yayoi nodded. "Can't remember their names, but I saw them with you yesterday and this morning. How are they?"

Thankful for the change of subject, Sage replied, "Sumire is Mitsu's sister; Masaji is their brother. All our rooms are separate. But when I last saw them, they were both concerned for her – like me." He raised his eyebrows to emphasize his previous point, then added, "And they're tough."

"I'll say," Yayoi heartily agreed. "She may have had help, but I don't know how many girls Sumire's age could walk on a sprained ankle for sixteen miles, and in only two days." Then, raising an eyebrow herself, she added insinuatingly, "Nor have I ever seen my little brother this concerned for a girl he's known only three days." Before Sage could protest yet again, Yayoi declared further, "She's awake, you know."

Her news nailed it, but he quickly saw his sister's lure for what it was. "I see what you're trying to pull," he said with suspicious eyes. "It's not gonna work." He then turned his gaze away from her. "Besides, she lied to me!"

Against his grandfather's teachings, Sage had been holding a bit of a grudge ever since he'd deduced the cause of Mitsu's illness. Yayoi's confirmation certainly didn't help. Regardless of Mitsu's intentions, she'd hidden her injury from him, even when it became infected. He'd told himself he shouldn't be surprised he didn't know her as well as he'd thought, given he'd known her only three days like Yayoi said. Even so, the injection of betrayal stung him in that deep place no girl other than Mitsu had reached.

"Well," Yayoi's tone turned critical, "whether you want my input or not, I know you care more than you'll admit because it's obviously upsetting you." When her brother still refused to meet her gaze, she sighed in exasperation. "Listen, Sage. I wasn't there, so I can't speak for Mitsu. But I know it's upsetting her, too."

Sage finally faced his sister again, eyes wide and baffled. "You've talked to her?" True, Yayoi was Mitsu's doctor. Still, it half-startled him that two of the few ladies who meant much to him – or one, rather – had spoken.

"Only a bit," Yayoi admitted. "When I checked her vitals, I could tell something was bothering her, but I didn't say. Right before I left, she asked me to tell you if I saw you how sorry she is, and that she wishes you knew why she didn't speak up." For a moment, Sage could only stand and stare, allowing Yayoi to give a frown of tough love. "I don't know what's happened between you two, but if you wanna patch things up, I say do it while you still can." She then smirked and shrugged again. "But what do I know? I'm just the nosy big sister."

Although Sage was inclined to agree, Yayoi had a point. Despite his bitterness over Mitsu's deception and misgivings about risking further betrayal, he couldn't deny, however much he wanted to, that he did want to mend things with her – even as he still denied that it was beyond wanting to be on good terms with her if they were to work together as Ronin Warriors. With a small sigh, Sage addressed Yayoi one more time.

"Alright; for once, you might be on to something," he admitted with the slightest hint of teasing. More seriously, he added, "Since the shelter is right next to it, I thought I'd get some fresh air at Aobayama Park. If Mitsu is well enough, would you mind bringing her to meet me there in about an hour?"

Yayoi glanced away briefly, obviously expecting her next order from a coworker any second now. "Well, whether or not I can do it will be up to my superiors. But if I can't, I will get someone else to."

Sage smiled sincerely, glad that he and his sister were on the same page. "Thanks, Yayoi. You're the best."

"I know," Yayoi returned her brother's smile again, until she gave him one more stern look. "Just don't chew her out. That's the last thing she needs."

Though initially appalled that she felt the need to tell him that, Sage shook his head. "Of course not," he assured her.

The two siblings then shared one last hasty but heartfelt hug, right before Yayoi was called away to tend another patient, leaving Sage once more with his thoughts on Mitsu. He sighed more heavily than before, hoping not only that they would make up, but also that he would finally muster the courage to tell her why he'd sought her out to begin with.

~*~

Later, as he sat alone on one of the benches in the center of Aobayama Park, Sage resisted the temptation to put his head in his hands like before. Despite his natural patience, even he had his limits, especially when something this important was involved. Hoping to relax, he scanned the surrounding area. Although the park had technically been closed down like all other nonessential public facilities after the earthquake, it was nice to see the vibrantly green lawns and sakura trees still in bloom, as if in defiance of the recent catastrophe.

"Excuse me, sir," a teasing feminine voice eventually spoke. "Is this seat taken?" Sage's gaze flew up to see Mitsu, and he half-jumped in surprise – which quickly turned rather pleasant when he took in her remarkable appearance. Indeed, without prior knowledge, one would never have guessed she'd passed out yesterday.

Not only had she changed clothes. She appeared showered and well-rested. She no longer shivered. The color had returned to her skin, and the shine to her hair. And now that the dark circles beneath them had vanished, her green eyes glowed with new life. So taken aback was he by this transformation that it took longer than it otherwise would have for Sage to find his voice.

"Sorry," Mitsu frowned sheepishly. "I probably shouldn't have." Suddenly, her smile returned – and further disarmed Sage as it reminded him of the first one she'd given him. "But after being sick and confined to a stuffy room, talk about a breath of fresh air!" As if to emphasize her point, Mitsu closed her eyes and sighed deeply as she breathed in the alleviating summer breeze.

Sage took the opportunity to see who'd brought her, and felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and gratitude when he spotted Yayoi at the far end of the field. Embarrassment that she was watching them, even if from a distance – but also gratitude for her efforts in helping Mitsu recover so well already. He then turned again in time to see Mitsu sit beside him on the bench.

"If only I didn't have to wear this." She lifted her right wrist, showing the bandage wrapped around it and IV needle taped down on the back of her hand. "On the other hand," she moved on, chuckling at her own joke, "I've met your sister." Sage winced as he felt his face warm. "And she was very kind and efficient," Mitsu added, having apparently picked up his apprehension. "Figures though that she would be, given you two are related."

"Thanks," Sage replied genuinely, deciding to go along with her, at least for now. "I really am glad to have found her here. Speaking of which, have your siblings visited you yet?"

Mitsu smirked. "Masaji won't stop geeking out about my faceoff with the wolves. And now that Sumire has an actual cast for her ankle, she's fussing over me." She laughed softly, and Sage couldn't help but join in. He hadn't known until now how much he liked it when she was in good spirits.

"I'm glad we all turned out okay," he spoke just as sincerely as before, when he remembered one more question. "What about your parents? Have you seen them?"

Mitsu's face fell somewhat, and she replied bittersweetly, "No." Cautionary hope then seemed to brighten her gaze as she added, "But we have heard from them. They're at another shelter on the other side of the city. I don't know when we'll see them again. Still, the important thing is we're all fine." Yet despite all this good news, her face almost immediately fell again, and far more grimly this time. "But I know that's not why you wanted to talk."

Although glad to have shared in her relief, now that they'd reached the inevitable purpose of this discussion, Sage shook his head. "You're right. It's not…"

During the uncomfortable silence that followed, Mitsu's gaze slowly drifted away – but Sage had already spotted both remorse and resentment in it. What's gotten into her? "Mitsu, why didn't you tell me about your foot?" When she didn't answer or even so much as spare him a glance, he leaned forward slightly and asked more gravely, "Mitsu, do you know how dangerous it is to let even a small cut go untreated?" In an instant, she fixed a half-glare on him, eyes glinting with annoyance.

"No, apparently, I don't!" she replied sarcastically. Without pausing, she turned in her seat so that she was fully facing him. "In my defense," she added more seriously, "I didn't think it would get this bad. At least, not at first." Sage raised a skeptical eyebrow, but she elaborated. "When I checked on it during my night shift back at the ravine, it looked to me like it was healing. But then something must've happened to it when we rescued each other and Masaji from the river – according to Yayoi, anyway."

Ignoring his discomfort at hearing Mitsu call his sister by her given name, Sage retorted, "Regardless, you needlessly risked your own health – if not your life." And betrayed my trust… "Though how am I supposed to know why when you still haven't told me? For that matter, if you're this willing to risk yourself, what makes you any different from Masaji?!"

Mitsu's gaze flashed with warning. "Don't bring my brother into this, Sage! What he did was different – completely and utterly!"

"Not to me, it isn't!" Sage gave her a hard stare. "If anything, the only real difference is that his stunt was more obvious." He then caught Yayoi's blond hair at the corner of his eye, and quickly remembered her admonition. But even after he regained control of himself, he was no less aggravated. "Mitsu, you asked Masaji what possessed him to do what he did. Well, I'm asking the same of you – now."

Against his expectations, rather than resist him and argue further, Mitsu frowned solemnly, likely acknowledging she'd been backed into a corner. "Okay… You're right, I do owe you the truth – especially now." Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly admitted, "I didn't tell you about my foot because…I didn't know if I could trust you." Sage furrowed confused eyebrows at her, and Mitsu hung her head with a low groan. "You're gonna think I'm so shallow."

"I only want the truth," he urged, but without the previous edge in his tone.

Eventually, after running both hands down her face, Mitsu finally relented. With visible effort, she forced herself to confess. "I didn't know if I could trust you at first because…you just looked too good to be true."

Initially, Sage thought to ask Mitsu what she meant, until he recalled her fear of coming across as shallow. "You mean, you judged me, based on my good looks?" he asked, puzzled rather than accusing. While he could tell she wasn't lying, it didn't make any immediate sense. Still, he felt equally fascinated and indignant at the notion that this girl may be the first to evidently be repulsed by his features instead of drawn to them.

With the truth now out, Mitsu promptly explained. "It's an issue I've had for awhile now, judging books by their covers." She stared at the IV in her hand. "Three years ago, when I was Sumire's age, I had a crush on my senpai. He was a bit rough around the edges, but…he was also handsome." Sensing he might be on to something, Sage listened intently to every word that followed.

"One time, I asked him out to this school dance. We agreed to meet there at six-thirty, right when it would start to get good." Mitsu paused, and her tone was wistful when she picked up her tale again. "But…after my dad dropped me off, I waited and waited…and my senpai never came. He didn't so much as call or text, even though we'd exchanged numbers."

The more she told, the more Sage felt strangely hostile toward this sorry excuse for a senpai, and not just because such behavior went against everything he'd been taught about social courtesy. More than just standing Mitsu up…this guy had hurt her. And when she met Sage's gaze once more, hers was alarmingly dim. "But here's the real kicker. When I next heard about him, he and his 'buddies' had gotten busted for underage drinking. And I don't mean like a couple glasses – they were wasted when the cops found them."

Stunned at this ending to Mitsu's story, Sage let his mouth hang open. It reminded him of a similar arrest of students from his high school – his dad had been among the first officers at the scene. And with that reminder, Sage instantly realized that, had any of those guys ditched his younger sister Satsuki for their bottles of sake…he wouldn't have been any less livid.

Mitsu by contrast only appeared disappointed. "Yeah, it could've been way worse," she admitted with the same wistfulness as before. "I'm glad he revealed his true colors when he did. Still…" She sighed heavily. "Ever since, I figured all good-looking guys would play any girl dumb enough to fall for their charm – until they hang her out to dry and move on to the next sucker."

At once, understanding finally dawned on Sage. She thought I'd abandon her and her siblings if she revealed that something was wrong with her. While there was a tinge of bitterness that she'd thought so low of him, when Mitsu all but gazed at him with remorseful eyes, he felt them tug at his heartstrings.

"But now, in light of all you've done for us – me and my family – since you and I met, I see that you and my senpai are like night and day – total opposites." She briefly pressed her lips together. "When my cut got infected though, I was afraid you'd get angry at me if I told you. I didn't want to think I was betraying you. But…yeah, I only just made things worse." Then, with utmost sincerity in her features and tone, she stated, "The point is, I've misjudged you, Sage. And…I'm sorry."

At first, Sage didn't know what to say. Although he still didn't condone her actions, he felt surprisingly touched at the level of understanding they'd reached, and soon voiced his appreciation. "Thanks for opening up to me, Mitsu." More fiercely, he added, "If I knew that scumbag…I'd throttle him!"

"What do you mean?" Mitsu asked in baffled confusion. "It had nothing to do with you."

"Maybe not, but still…" Though uncertain as to how she'd receive his words, he gazed at her in deep sympathy. "I'm so sorry he broke your heart like that." And I'd be even sorrier if it ever broke again because of me.

Mitsu's eyes widened slightly. But then, the corners of her mouth lifted in the smallest smile, and she dipped her chin gratefully at him. "Thanks, Sage. Thanks for understanding." Another silence passed between them, but it didn't feel nearly as uncomfortable this time around.

Suddenly, as if remembering an important matter, Mitsu said, "Actually, there's something else I wanna bring up." Just as suddenly, Sage felt apprehensive about what she had in mind. But he gestured for Mitsu to go ahead. "There is still plenty I don't know about you, but… Remember when you told me you were a soldier?" Sage nodded, relieved he was wrong in addition to being reminded that he'd wanted to discuss this, too. "What did you mean by that, exactly?"

Even before she posed her question, Sage knew the time had come to tell Mitsu of their shared destinies. It'd been three days, and they were alone – or at least out of earshot from Yayoi. Wanting to proceed carefully, he took a deep breath. This is it; no going back. With renewed resolve, Sage's unblinking eyes met Mitsu's. "Well, I'm part of a…special force – so to speak – made up of only me, and four other guys my age. No one knows about us, not even the emperor or prime minister. Still, we strive to protect not just Japan, but the entire world."

Mitsu's eyes widened, but more in interest than alarm. "From what?" Whatever she thought about this, Sage was nonetheless grateful for her willingness to listen. After sweeping his gaze around the area, he leaned forward, and silently urged Mitsu to do likewise.

With complete seriousness, he replied softly, "They're called the Dynasty of the Nether Realm. They aren't like your everyday bad guys. They aren't even human. They're pure evil, and my fellow warriors and I are the earth's only line of defense against them."

"Warriors?" Mitsu gasped lightly, then stopped Sage before he could explain further. "Wait. If everything you just said is top-secret, why are you telling it to me?"

Hopeful that she'd be receptive to this most crucial part of his story, Sage elaborated. "My teammates and I were recently informed of five other warriors – but we had to find them. This might sound crazy but…I do believe you're one of them."

Mitsu sat straight again, complete and utter surprise now shaping her face. "Me?" she asked, pointing at herself. "What makes you think I'm one of these warriors?" Sage was about to answer, when a distant yet startling thunderclap prompted both him and Mitsu to look ahead.

Somehow, he hadn't noticed it until now, but a blanket of gray clouds had spread across the sky as far as the eye could see in all directions. The further away they stretched, the more they darkened, until they were only one shade away from black at the horizon. From there, white light flashed every other second, clearly portending a coming storm. But most bizarre and unnerving of all was a new sense of unease that made Sage's skin crawl. "Something's…off…"

"I know," Mitsu breathed. While glad he wasn't alone in his reasoning, Sage's gaze moved as though guided by an unseen force, eventually resting on one particular structure not too far from the park – Aoba Castle. Once the home of his Date ancestors, it'd since been watching over Sendai for over four centuries.

But before Sage could wonder what exactly was calling him there, both he and Mitsu turned their heads when they heard someone – Yayoi – approach from behind. "Hate to interrupt your little get-together," she said, "but I need to get back to work, and we all need to get outta here before it rains."

Discouraged though he was, Sage couldn't come up with an excuse to argue otherwise. At the very least, he and Mitsu seemed to be of the same mind. "Alright," he sighed. "And thanks, Yayoi, for bringing Mitsu. I owe you one."

"You're welcome." With a smirk, Yayoi added, "And I'll remind you." Ignoring the urge to roll his eyes, Sage embarked back toward the shelter with Mitsu at his side behind his sister, who was already venting her frustration. "Just what we need! And only three days after that earthquake!"

With Yayoi's back turned, Sage leaned toward Mitsu and said in a low tone, "I'll tell you the rest later, I promise." Mitsu nodded her thanks, and with that settled, he allowed himself one last look at the castle. Though he still wasn't entirely sure what had set him on edge, his instincts teamed up with his curiosity. I'll have to investigate as soon as possible. Whatever's there, no way am I running again!

~*~

As she turned onto her back to stare at the ceiling of her room, Mitsu wondered if Sage was also ironically too restless to sleep. Ever since they'd separated over twelve hours ago – after which Yayoi had finally removed that dully painful IV – she'd felt more anxious than she had in a long time. It'd lessened for awhile when she hung out with her siblings the following evening, trying to keep the inside mood light while the dark storm battered the outside, until everyone went to bed. And so, here she was at five in the morning, having gotten only snippets of sleep – if even that.

Every other time she closed her eyes, Mitsu was met with one of two images – either her dream in which her shadow stood above Sage's, or her real-life confrontation with the hellhounds. Whenever she saw the latter, a silent voice incessantly warned her that that wasn't the last she'd seen of them, that they were still out there. Eventually, Mitsu was forced to admit that she would never rest until she addressed the issues demanding her attention.

The first was the most obvious. Reluctant though she'd been at first, Mitsu had long since accepted that her feelings for the young blond man who'd rescued her and her family in more ways than one had grown beyond simple affection. Were she to describe it in one word, only one felt honest – love.

She remembered feeling uncharacteristically nervous when Yayoi took her to meet Sage at the park – greeting him with teasing being the only way she could cope. Once they started talking though, it reminded Mitsu of a similar conversation they had after the first day they'd traveled – even if they hit a few bumps on the road this time. But then came the moment when she revealed to Sage why she'd initially distrusted him – the first time she shared the story of her drunk senpai with someone outside her family.

By the time she was nearing the end, Mitsu had been practically forcing the words from her mouth, telling herself she didn't care what Sage thought…even as she hoped beyond reason that he'd understand. When she did finish, she half-expected him to dismiss her as silly or get angry that this was the origin of her false judgment of him. But he did neither of those things. Rather…he was sorry her senpai had broken her heart.

In hindsight, Mitsu was now certain that that was the moment she knew she loved Sage – despite the time it'd taken after to wrap her obstinate head around. And whatever he felt about her, she'd always hold on to those feelings as a reminder that she was still capable of love. Still, to have him return those feelings…

Thunder sounded, and Mitsu sat bolt upright with a gasp. But it wasn't the boom that'd jolted her wide-awake – it was a startling realization she'd just made. Had there not been people sleeping in nearly every room of the tented hallway, Mitsu would've exclaimed the words now racing through her mind out loud. But she was no less excited. I know what it all means! I know what that ghost woman meant! I know what Sage was talking about! I know what everything means!

Before long, Mitsu was navigating the maze of corridors and aisles made from the tents of the shelter, taking care to not draw attention to herself and hide whenever she needed to. Regardless, nothing was going to stop her from telling Sage what she now knew, particularly the meaning of the spirit woman's riddle.

"You have a great light within you, Mitsu. But in order for it to shine, you must break through the storm clouds blocking it."

And she had. The storm clouds had been her own pride and stubbornness. And ever since Sage came into her life, she'd learned to admit when she was wrong and to accept help. She'd learned to be gracious. Moreover, she'd learned of the connection between her dream and Sage's secret life as a warrior, even if she had yet to know the actual details regarding the latter. For now though, she had to find him. And she had a strong feeling he wasn't in the shelter.

When they'd both felt that sense of foreboding brought on by that mass of clouds, Mitsu had noticed how Sage stared knowingly at Aoba Castle. If she was right, he must've figured something was going down there, and no way was he going to let a mystery like this go unsolved. Mitsu thought the same for herself when she finally exited the complex of tents and found herself back in Aobayama Park.

Although it'd stopped raining long ago, even in the darkness of the last hour before daybreak, she could nonetheless see the inanimate witnesses of last night's storm. Leaves, sakura petals, and branches were scattered haphazardly everywhere. The grass also was still wet, as evidenced by the squelching noises made by Mitsu's slippered feet, forcing her onto the paved pathway instead.

Once there, her eyes focused on the main keep of Aoba Castle, and the lightening horizon beyond that heralded the looming sunrise. With no time to lose, Mitsu ran straight for the castle without looking back.

~*~

"To arms!" Sage's shout echoed from the castle walls as he ditched his original clothes for his sub-armor. With dawn fast approaching, he'd have to be faster if he wanted to locate this new threat. Only half an hour ago, he woke up in his bed back at the shelter in a cold sweat. Despite promising himself yesterday evening that he'd rest his eyes only until he could sneak out under cover of night, he'd apparently been more tired than he thought. Still, his sixth sense remained sharp, and it'd woken him before his chance could be lost along with the darkness.

Whatever evil lurked within this fortress, Sage had felt its distinctive presence the moment he entered, and remained alert as he embarked through the halls shrouded in shadow – as well as irony. As a descendant of the Date clan, Sage had visited this castle plenty of times growing up. I should feel safe in the home of my ancestors. Instead, I feel anything but. And that wasn't all he felt. Ever since he left the shelter, a bizarre sense of guilt had been nagging at him, and only now did he realize why.

Initially, he'd reasoned that he didn't want her to get caught in the potential crossfire. Now, that explanation came up woefully short. As a fellow Ronin Warrior, even if she still had yet to awaken her powers, Mitsu was eventually going to have to face the enemy alongside him. So why hadn't he brought her?

Even if she'd risked her health, she'd also rescued him from the river, stood up to the wolves, and seemed determined to judge him based on his character rather than appearance – even if she didn't always succeed in doing so. Were she not a Ronin Warrior, it would've been no less obvious to Sage that Mitsu – despite her audacious tendencies – could clearly take care of herself. Never would he have believed just a few days ago that the trappings of a maiko could hide the spirit of an onna-bugeisha.

Maybe that was why he didn't bring her. Maybe he didn't want to own up to how he'd misjudged her, too. Maybe he didn't want to admit why Mitsu had so captivated and frustrated him in equal measure since that dream that now seemed a distant memory… Suddenly, Sage found himself in the castle's main hall. He knew it because here, unlike every other area he'd traveled through so far, there was a light source – a doorway to the battlements on the top floor.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but Sage soon realized he didn't need it to know he wasn't alone. And the ominous laughter rumbling from the room's occupants wasn't exactly comforting confirmation. Still, as the Ronin Warrior he was, Sage took a defensive stance and demanded, "Who are you?! Come out and face me!" He hadn't exactly expected obedience, but he remained on edge when a particularly burly silhouette emerged from the dark along with two others, one on either side. Dynasty soldiers!

Upon recognizing them, Sage's blood began to boil. He quickly reasoned the one in the middle was the leader, given he stretched taller than the two flanking him. "It's been too long, Ronin Warrior!" his deep voice boomed.

Undeterred, Sage retorted, "Not long enough! I don't know what your business is here, but my fellow warriors and I have defeated your master twice before. We can do it a third time!"

The leader scoffed. "You underestimate the strength of our master's power! For that matter…" He looked around briefly. "Where are your fellow warriors? Looks to me like you're all alone!"

"Doesn't mean I can't take on all of you alone!" Immediately, Sage made good on his word, diving for the demon soldier on his left and knocking him over with a blow from his elbow. He then leaped and incapacitated the other as well with a swift kick to the head. But before he could go for their leader, the two soldiers he'd just downed rose again, and tackled him before he could dodge either. Sage let out a furious shout as he was hurled to the ground and pinned there. The leader laughed mockingly while he struggled.

"Thought we'd be pushovers, didn't you? Your female friend may have scared us off the other day, but she's not here to save you this time!" Against his better judgment, Sage froze at the first half of the latter statement, prompting the leader to speak condescendingly. "That's right…"

His eyes and those of all the other Dynasty soldiers turned red, and Sage was momentarily stunned to realize what that meant. "You…! You were the hellhounds!"

"Oh, I'm touched that you missed us!" The leader then deigned to kneel in front of his captive so that their gazes met more easily. "Now that we've shown you who we are, show us where she is, and I'll order these two dogs to release you."

In spite of the combined weight of the soldiers causing him considerable pain, once Mitsu was brought up, Sage doubled down. "Never!"

Obviously not one to take "no" for an answer, the leader shook his head disapprovingly. "Oh, so unwise!" He then stood at his full height, and Sage prepared himself for whatever brutal treatment he was about to receive.

~*~

While the sinister specter and Sage carried on a conversation that'd quickly become one-sided, outside, right beside the doorway to the battlements, a lone eavesdropper gasped. She'd only just made it to the castle when she'd heard malevolent voices along with Sage's coming from inside. Then came the sounds of conflict. With no time to race through the fortress, she'd somehow found the strength and speed to climb all the way up to the battlements.

She'd only just pressed her back against the wall to both hide and listen when Sage declared that his oppressors – whoever they were – were themselves the ravenous wolves she'd faced. Though her rational side said that was impossible, she was immediately reminded of the peril Sage was in when he refused to tell his tormentors where she was. And it was this – combined with the young man's touching bravery – that inspired her find her own courage.

Steeling herself, she stood in the doorway just in time to see Sage about to get it while he was pinned to the floor. Lifting her hand, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Stop!"

As dozens of pairs of eyes flew up to greet this intruder, Sage gasped in shock. "Mitsu!"

But she barely heard him. As she beheld an army of imposing soldiers clad in iron armor, Mitsu found herself stupefied not only at the wave upon revolting wave of evil coming from them, but also a new realization just as mind-blowing if not more so than the one before. It's the scene from my dream! It's come to life!

And she would've remained in her stupor were it not for the menacing growl she instantly recognized despite having heard it only once. Turning her head toward the source, Mitsu was met with the searing, red-eyed glare of a soldier taller than all the others – and she knew this was the pack leader she'd thrown a rock at. "Who do you think you are, missy?!" he half-demanded, half-barked. "Couldn't resist crashing our little party, could you?!"

If he'd planned to intimidate her, his words had the opposite effect. Filled with the same determination from their first encounter, Mitsu brazenly replied, "I think – no, I know I'm a chosen warrior! And if you're all from the Nether World, I'm gonna make you wish you never left it!"

"Ha!" The leader barked again in sardonic laughter before scowling at her even more intensely. "You and what army?!"

Mitsu's nostrils flared as she pointed at herself with her thumb. "Army of me, you monster!"

All of a sudden, a great, galvanizing shock charged through every one of her veins as a lightning bolt tore through the clouds and struck her. Yet instead of dying or even being injured, Mitsu felt an exhilaration unlike any she'd ever known in her life. The next thing she knew, she was surrounded by electricity, and in place of her original clothes was what appeared to be green sub-armor. But most bizarre of all was a strange heat at the center of her forehead, causing her to shut her eyes and inexplicably hiss, "Grace…?"

Immediately after, she heard Sage's voice echo excitedly in her ears. "Mitsu! Armor up! It's the only way you can beat these guys! You're a Ronin Warrior!"

A…Ronin Warrior? Mitsu wondered as she struggled to comprehend all this. Is that what he is? Is…is that what I am?!

The demonic army leader's voice then echoed just as loudly. "Oh, shut him up already! Then we'll finish her off!"

Mitsu's eyes flashed open. "Oh no you don't!" And as if by instinct, she knew just what to shout to turn things around in her and Sage's favor. "Armor of Radiance! DAO REI!"

With these words, an orb of divine green light enveloped her thrown-out hand. Turning it into a fist and raising it high, she closed her eyes again, allowing the light to bathe her in its warmth and lift the corners of her mouth. Her smile only grew when she reopened her eyes to see the amazed – if not alarmed – gazes of everyone in the room, including Sage. She was now something far better than a maiko or even an onna-bugeisha. She was what she was meant to be. She was a Ronin Warrior!

"I am Mitsu of the Radiance!" she boldly declared. "On behalf of grace, I fight to expel evil done in darkness with light!" She then shot a hand up, and the sky promptly granted her wish. The lightning bolt that landed on her palm with a thunderclap transformed into a most worthy sword – an uchigatana. Sweeping the blade in front of her, Mitsu stared down the soldiers just as she'd done when they were wolves, daring any of them to oppose her.

~*~

"Mitsu…?" Sage breathed in utter bewilderment. Although he knew her for the young woman he should've brought in the first place, she seemed someone else with her newly-awakened powers. She'd looked awe-inspiring enough when she first appeared in the doorway, right when the sun rose and its light surrounded her as though it were a halo of glory. But now that she'd armored up for the first time, had Sage not known better, he would've thought her to be Amaterasu having just emerged from her cave.

As for Mitsu's armor, the only thing it shared with his was the color. The rest was completely her own, protecting only her four limbs, right shoulder, chest, and waist. The two most obvious differences were the kimono – its skirt stretching to her knees and single sleeve covering her left arm – and headband in place of a helmet. Beneath her lids that'd been painted green, her eyes were electric with their sparkling. And her uchigatana instantly reminded Sage of the one used to stop his rogue armor from killing his past self in his dream.

He moved to stand up, but was quickly shoved down again by the two "dogs." Knowing he'd be of no help to Mitsu like this, Sage gathered every ounce of strength within him, and shouted his effort as he threw the soldiers off in a powerful blast. After gaining his feet, he faced the rest of the army and yelled, "Mitsu! Go for the leader! I'll keep the others busy!"

"What about you?" she yelled back in rather poignant concern. "There are so many!"

"Don't worry about me!" he shouted past his shoulder. "I've dealt with these guys before!" Suddenly, their eyes met, and Sage saw something in Mitsu's that, though time didn't allow him to dwell on it, nonetheless gave him just the words to say that he knew would encourage her. With complete candor, he exclaimed in a reassuring tone, "This is your fight, Mitsu! You can do this! I know you can!"

~*~

If Mitsu had had any previous doubts about Sage's opinion of her, they vanished with the nighttime darkness. The sincerity in his gaze, voice, and words were all she needed to know he felt for her the same way she did him – and more than enough to inspire her into action. With a grateful nod, she leaped from the ledge before landing remarkably lightly on the floor – and receiving an immediate, dubious welcome when a growl erupted behind her. "You're mine, green grunge!"

Tightly gripping the hilt of her sword, Mitsu spun around just in time for her blade to meet the behemoth's spear with a sharp, definitive CLING! While their weapons remained locked, she grinned defiantly. "Not today, tinhead!" She then broke the stalemate by swinging her blade at her opponent. And soon, clashes and clangs were echoing from the walls as their weapons met again and again.

As the fight raged on, Mitsu noticed with pleasant surprise that her skill in swordplay, while decent before, now seemed to have been dialed up to eleven – then again, never before had she fought for her life against such a beastly foe. Whatever trick he tried to pull, she dodged his blows or countered them with her own. Yet one thing threatened to nibble away at her concentration. Although she could hear Sage plowing through the soldiers one by one, she also couldn't help but wonder if something would eventually go wrong.

And it did as soon as the thought entered her mind. Her lapse in focus having been picked up by her enemy, he deftly knocked her sword aside, and Mitsu's eyes went wide as she realized she was at his rapidly diminishing mercy.

~*~

Once he heard a blade hit the ground, Sage looked to see Mitsu's sword skidding across the floor. Lifting his gaze, he stiffened with horror when he saw her about to fall victim to the army leader's savagery. "MITSU!" he shouted fearfully. As if the sound of her name had snapped her out of a trance, Mitsu spotted her sword, and leaped for it right as the leader hurled down his spear.

Faster than Sage could keep up with, she dove in a forward roll before nimbly regaining her feet and turning back around, weapon in hand again and eyes narrowed at the villain. "Sorry to steal your thunder!" she exclaimed. "But your 'little party' is over!" Mitsu then held her sword in front of her, one hand holding the hilt and the other touching the end of the blade, from which electrical sparks began surging.

"BLINDING FLASH BEAM!" Her sword now audibly ringing with illumination, Mitsu spun in a full circle before lifting it high with both hands, and a pure ray of unfiltered light exploded from her blade in a display of dazzling brilliance that put even the sun to shame.

"Holy–!" Sage gave voice to his sheer astonishment, shielding his eyes to keep from being blinded himself. But the effect on him was minor compared to what Mitsu unleashed on her demonic enemies. Through the boom of thunder and crackle of lightning, the combined bellows of agonized defeat sounded from the army and their leader as though from a distance.

When Sage finally opened his eyes, his mouth fell open too when he saw that not one soldier had been spared. The room's only remaining occupant other than himself stood in a pool of early morning light in the center. And as he gazed upon the female warrior who resembled a living, emerald green lightning bolt, Sage didn't think he'd ever seen a more strikingly beautiful lady. Only when she dropped her sword and crumpled to her knees with a groan did he realize how exhausted she actually was.

Fearing she'd collapse as she did two days ago, he hastened toward her, arms outstretched. "Mitsu!"

"No, wait! Don't touch me!" Mitsu cried as she shot a hand out, causing him to stop in alarm. "I…I might electrocute you."

Relieved that that wasn't an issue, Sage shook his head. "No, no, it's fine. I'm used to it." Kneeling down next to her panting form, he asked softly, "Can you stand?"

Mitsu dipped her chin, and her breathing slowly started returning to normal. "Yeah. But…" Lifting her soulful green eyes to meet his, she asked, "Mind giving me a hand?"

Sage smiled. "No problem." With a firm but gentle hold, he steadily helped her up, letting go only when he was certain she wouldn't keel over – and bizarrely missing her touch already.

"Man…" Mitsu exhaled in unfettered surprise as her gaze encircled the room. "I must've obliterated them, huh?" Facing him again, she asked, "Is this really what you and your friends do for a living?"

Sage couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, maybe not a living but, it's a good side-gig."

Mitsu then looked away, and though he was probably not supposed to, he heard her mutter, "So this really is what that woman meant."

Struck with curiosity, Sage quickly but carefully took hold of her shoulders, causing her startled gaze to fly back up. "What woman?" he asked.

After a moment's hesitation, Mitsu shoved it aside to explain. "Last week, I had a dream in which this spirit woman showed me the moment when I appeared in the doorway just now. Of course, it was all foggy, and I had no idea what it meant at the time. But…then I met you and, you told me about your secret double life. That's why I came here – to find you and tell you what I figured out – and then the moment that woman showed me happened for real."

Now Sage was certain he was on to something. "Do you remember what she looked like? Did she wear a long white robe and carry a rosary? Did she have bright red hair?"

Mitsu didn't answer, until her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open with excited realization. "Yes…! Yes, that's exactly what she looked like! Do you know who she is?"

Sage nodded in delight. "I think you met Suzunagi, Mitsu." He then proceeded to fill her in. "She's…like an unofficial superior. She can see into the future. That was how she learned of you and the other female warriors, and then told me and my friends. She also created the armors the guys and I bear, which are similar to yours. Mine is the armor of Halo. The rest of the guys bear the armors of Wildfire, Torrent, Hardrock, and Strata. Together, we're called Ronin Warriors."

To his relief, Mitsu seemed to fully take his word for it. "But wait, what about my armor – and those of the other female warriors? You think that woman – Suzunagi – created them as well?"

"It's possible," Sage conceded. "Honestly though, for now…I'm just happy you've awakened your powers!" He and Mitsu then softly laughed in shared relief – when he saw in her eyes the same thing that'd inspired the words he used to spur her on. Now, with the army gone, he could try and figure out what it was.

Whether or not it was due to her new power, what Sage saw in Mitsu's gaze went beyond that deep place she'd reached in him and illuminated an even deeper one he didn't know existed. He wondered what could so affect him like this…until he realized he already knew. It'd been in there – in him – all along. He just hadn't been willing to name it before. And it could only be called one thing…

Love. Mitsu loved him. And now, Sage knew he loved her, too. But rather than being repulsed by it, he didn't think he'd been more pleasantly surprised in his life. It made him understand that he desired for her to utilize her strengths not just as a Ronin Warrior, but as a person…

"Sage?" When he saw Mitsu staring questioningly at him, Sage sighed as he found himself in the same position from less than twenty-four hours ago. In this case, it was high time he acknowledged his feelings.

"Mitsu… How do I say this?" He glanced away, but then met her stare head-on as he would an opponent's in a kendo match. "I know we haven't known each other long, but…I feel like I've gotten to know you so well." He dared to brush his fingernails across her cheek. "I don't think I've ever known a girl like you. You're smart, brave, and selfless…if a bit reckless." Realizing he needed to get to the point, he gazed into her now mystified eyes. "Mitsu…I love you. And…there's no other onna-bugeisha I'd rather fight alongside!"

Mitsu chuckled softly, and leaned her warm cheek into his palm. "I love you too, Sage. And there's no other samurai I'd rather fight alongside!" Without any warning, she then threw her arms around him, startling him into staggering back a couple steps. But Sage regained his balance, and promptly returned her embrace.

Although neither knew how long they stayed there, the two warriors of light felt the warmth of the dawning sun spread into their hearts, binding them so that no darkness – not even that of the Dynasty – could eclipse either from the other.