I struggled through the veil of sleep and forced my eyes to open. The stars in the heavens looked
down on me. "Stars?" I wondered pushing myself up. "Where am I?" My location was not the only
problem, my armor was also gone. I stood up and looked around, "Come on, guys," I called aloud, "this
ain't funny." I got no answer and the hope that this was just a prank faded. I went to take a step when
something on my right wrist pulled me to a stop. I looked down and in the moonlight could see a metal
shackle locked around my wrist. "What the . . ." I followed the chain that hung down and swore. On the
other end of the manacle was another person, Wildfire. The still sleeping teen was also out of his armor.
Beside him was a small wicker basket. I bent down and retrieved the basket and then moved back as far
as the chain would allow. I sat down and examined the small basket. Inside there was food and an
envelope. I unwrapped one of the sandwiches and opened the envelope. In the bright moonlight, I read the
letter inside.
Kento of Hardrock and Ryo of the Wildfire,
     The world is in desperate need of the five Ronin Warriors. You have been at war with each other
since the beginning. The five Ronin Warriors must work together, there is no room for arrogance or
self-regard. You two have jeopardized the success of the Ronin Warriors against the Evil Dynasty. You
are now a three-day walk from the temple. You have one week to return, together. If you manage to get
the golden shackle off and only one returns . . . both will lose your armors. The same holds true if you
do not make it back in a week. The Circle of Power will not work as long as the hate you two have for
each other keeps it from being completed. Mind my words Ronin, for the world's time is growing short.
You can do this, I have seen your hearts and know your true selves.
"I hope you're right old man," I said opening another sandwich, "because if you're wrong . . . this is
not going to be a fun week."
     I let Wildfire sleep. It was dark, we weren't going anywhere. After I finished the second sandwich, I
looked into the basket to see what other goodies were there. There were two more sandwiches and a
couple energy bars. I looked over at the sleeping teen. "He's little," I thought, "he won't need much." I ate
a third sandwich and one of the energy bars. Then I decided to stash the rest of the food inside my coat,
just in case Wildfire acted like a jerk when he woke up. If he did, I would keep the food for myself.
     After I finished eating, I held up my wrist into the moonlight. I examined the shackle closely but
could see no keyhole or break in the bracelet. I tugged on the chain, it didn't seem too tough. "Time to
armor up," I thought reaching into my pocket for my crystal. My pockets were empty except for a book
of matches in my coat and my wallet in my back pocket. "Okay, on to plan B," I said. "Now what was
plan B?"
     A night wind stirred the grass around me and awoke the sleeping teen. I heard a soft moan as he
pushed himself up. He shook his head and mumbled, "I thought Rowen said only the wearer could take it
off and on."
     "That's right," I thought to myself. "We are the only ones who can remove the armor . . . I wonder
how they did it?"
     Wildfire sat back and looked around. I was sitting right behind him but he never looked. "What
happened . . . I get expelled?" he asked.
     I smiled and answered, "No such luck, Wildfire."
     He jerked around like he had been bit and started to stand to back away. "Where are we?" he asked.
     "I wouldn't do that," I said as he moved away. The chain pulled him to a stop. He looked down in
shock at the manacle around his left wrist and then followed the chain back to me.
     He shook his head and whispered, "He didn't."
     I showed him my wrist as he dropped back down onto the ground and asked where we were again. I
handed him the letter and then gave him a brief summary of the contents. Wildfire didn't look too
concerned. I reached out and grabbed his shirt to pull him to me. "This is the first time in my life I actually
give a damn about anything and I'm not going to let you screw this up!" Then I shoved him back. As he
read the letter, I shook my head and groaned silently. "Off to a good start, Hardrock," I thought to myself.
"Keep this up and you'll be through before it starts."
     Another breeze brushed across us and I saw Wildfire shiver slightly. I wondered why the others had
left him in just a thin T-shirt while they gave me back my jacket and sweater. Wildfire thought of the
same thing and asked if there was anything else with the letter. I showed him the empty basket. "There
was some food."
     Wildfire glared at me and threw down the empty container but didn't press the subject. He tugged at
his shackle and then told me to call my armor to break our bonds. I smiled and said, "You call your armor
first."
     Wildfire reached into his pocket and froze as it finally dawned on him. "Yours, too?"
     I nodded and reached out to snag his entrapped wrist. He struggled against my hold for a second and
then held still. I looked down at the bracelet and could see no breaks or keyholes in his either. I dropped it
disgusted.
     Wildfire looked it over and asked, "How did they put it on?"
     I shrugged my shoulders and said, "The Ancient probably used his magic."
     "Magic . . . what magic?"
     I spent the next few minutes describing to Wildfire what had happened at the temple. He had been
wearing a blindfold so he had missed the fireworks.
     After I finished, he asked if we could head back for the temple. I looked around at the surrounding
darkness and said that we should wait until we could see where were going.
     Wildfire stood and pointed. "The temple is that way."
     I laughed, "Yeah, sure."
     Wildfire turned and glared at me. "I traveled almost a month to find that place and it's that way . . .
to the East."
     I looked the way he pointed. He could be right, but how did he know which way was East. "Just
how do you know that?" I asked. "You and I were both out when the sun set. I have no idea which way is
East."
     Wildfire groaned and pointed up at the sky. "Look up there, see that star there and that star over
there. Well, that means East is that way."
     I shook my head and jerked on the chain that linked us. The pull brought him to his knees. "Go back
to sleep, Wildfire," I instructed. "I ain't going anywhere until I can see where I'm going."
     I waited for an argument but got none. Wildfire laid down and turned his back on me. He tried to
tuck his arms around himself, but it twisted my arm because of the chain. We battled between us for
comfort before we both gave in and moved closer giving the chain a little more slack. I awoke probably an
hour later when a strange noise startled me. I sat up and listened. It seemed to be coming from where
Wildfire slept. I finally figured out what the noise was and laughed. I reached over and slapped the back of
the hungry teen. His eyes flew opened and I took out the last sandwich. Dropping it onto the ground in
front of him, I said, "Here, your stomach is louder than mine."
     He quickly unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. He looked over at me and smiled. "Thanks," he
said.
     "Don't get mushy on me," I groaned. "It's just bologna."
     He finished the sandwich and asked, "Was that all you saved . . . I mean is there anything left?"
     "No," I lied. "That was all that's left." I waited for another confrontation but he accepted my words
and stretched back out onto the hard ground. I joined him and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
     A few hours later, we started the trek back to the temple. The morning did not start well as Wildfire
and I got into a discussion over that fact that he was the leader of the Ronin Warriors.
     "Your what?" he almost shouted. "I'm nobody's leader."
     "Oh, that comes as a big surprise," I thought. Aloud I said, "Well, that's pretty obvious. But I'm
afraid you wear the Wildfire Armor."
     "And . . ."
     "That means you're the leader. The Ancient told us that before you arrived." I sighed and added, "I
thought Wildfire would be someone . . ." I added silently, "like Yoshi."
     "Someone like what . . . I'm the best person to wear this armor according to the Ancient. Remember
the armor chose me, not the other way around. If it were up to me, I'd be back farming with my uncle."
     "Why don't you, Wildfire?" I asked. "Everything was going fine until you showed up."
     Wildfire glared at me and told me this was where he was needed. Then asked if I had felt the
increase in my armor's power when he had completed the Power Circle.
     I could not deny the fact that I had felt the change in my armor when he had revived the Wildfire
Armor, so instead I pointed and said, "We need to go that way."
     "I told you that last night," Wildfire mumbled as he started off in the direction I indicated.
     We made good time. We jogged most of the morning and even without my armor I didn't feel
overworked. We were working our way down a steep hill when Wildfire called out for me to hold up. I
wasn't sure what the problem was but thought it could wait until we reached the bottom of the hill. He
tugged on the chain but I just jerked the shackle and dragged him on. He brushed pass me and I smiled.
"I'll get him trained," I thought. The smile disappeared a second later when I was pulled to a halt. I turned
around and noticed the runt had managed to wrap the slack of the chain around a small tree. The extra
pull had stopped me. I looked up to see what all the trouble was for and froze. Wildfire had a fist full of
bright red berries, the same berries I had eaten. I reached around the tree and slapped his hand away from
his mouth, "Wildfire, stop!" He had managed to get some of the berries into his mouth. "Spit them out . . .
they're poisonous!"
     He searched my face and then turned his head to spit the berries out. "They taste sweet."
     I worked my way around the tree and untangled the shackle. "I'll remind you of that tonight when
you're sick as a dog."
     When we reached the bottom of the hill, I pulled out the small energy bar, our last bit of food. I
handed it to the teen. "Not as sweet as your berries, but it won't come back to haunt you."
     "How much more of this do you got stashed in that coat?" he asked. "You wouldn't happen to have
a gallon of milk?"
     After I denied having anything else, he broke the bar in half and offered me part. "After all I had
done . . ." I thought. "What's this a peace offering?" I took the small morsel and popped it in my mouth.
"Okay," I said, "we've tried being opponents . . . now let's see how far we can get working together."
     Wildfire smiled and nodded his head. "Sounds like a good plan, Hardrock."
     It was about noon when we came upon our first big obstacle . . . a river, a very wide river. "Well, I
guess we're in for a swim," Wildfire said heading for the water.
     I pulled him to a stop, fear choked me as I stuttered, "I can't swim . . . I hate the water."
     "Well then, genius, now what?"
     "I don't know," I admitted, "but I'm not getting wet."
     I braced myself for an uproar but he just asked if there might be a bridge downstream. I shook my
head, we were in the middle of nowhere. Just when I began to think I might be in for a swim, Wildfire
spotted a small canoe hidden in some bushes. The small craft was still damp. "We can't just steal it,"
Wildfire said. "Someone may really need this craft."
     "We really need this craft," I thought reaching into my pocket. I took out the money I had stashed
there and laid a generous amount on the ground. "That's more then enough to cover the cost of buying a
new one. Come on!"
     Wildfire gave in and helped drag the boat over to the river. "I'll take the back," Wildfire said. "The
person in the back does most of the steering."
     "Steering?" I asked looking around. "Where's the wheel?"
     Wildfire grinned and offered me an oar. "That is exactly why I'm the one in the back."
     I went to take the front seat when the chain stopped me. "Now what?" I asked.
     "Kneel down in front of me," Wildfire instructed. "You should still be able to row."
     I took my place in front of Wildfire and with his help I soon caught on how to make the oar work
for me. We had to work together or otherwise the chain would get too taunt and we would be unable to
move. We made good time crossing the swift stream. As we neared the opposite shore, there was an
explosion and the water next to the canoe exploded. "Gunfire!" I yelled. "We better kick it."
     "I guess someone didn't like the trade," Wildfire said as he increased the strength of his stokes.
     Another shot echoed across the steam and more water kicked up beside us. I started to stand,
wanting to get into a better position. Wildfire shoved me back down and yelled, "Sit down!"
     I did as he instructed but when I sat it rocked the boat enough to cause Wildfire to lose his balance.
He tumbled into the river. I braced myself and pulled back on the chain. The second his head cleared the
water I reached down and dragged him into the boat. I dropped him and took the seat. A couple of strong
strokes brought us to the shore. Wildfire showed me a quilt that had been under the seat. "Keep it, it may
come in handy," I said. "Come on, Wildfire." We hit the beach running. We ran a little ways before
Wildfire dropped to his knees and coughed up the water he had swallowed. "Hey, you okay?"
     The dark-haired teen looked up. Water dripped from his bangs as he said, "I'm fine."
     I looked down at the soaked teen and started to say that maybe we should rest. But I reconsidered
since the people that shot at us could be following. "If you're really alright, then we have to keep moving."
Wildfire nodded his head and stood.
     We made camp that night next to a small stream. "I can catch some fish," Wildfire said.
     "How?" I asked. The teen picked up a couple of long sticks and told me he could make some spears.
I watched as he cut all the small twigs from the branches with a sharp stone he had found. His hand shook
as he cut the tip of the branch. "Are you okay?" I asked. He had been real silent since the river.
     "I'm fine," he said walking over to the stream. He showed me how to spear the fish as they swam
by. "Remember, the water makes them look like there in one place but there really a little above that."
     We managed to catch one fish apiece. "Alright," I said with a grin, "I can't believe I just caught my
own food." I looked over at Wildfire. He was kneeling down beside me, his shoulders shaking. "Hey," I
said getting his attention. He looked up and I showed him the book of matches. "See, it's a good thing I
didn't get wet. Come on, let's gather some wood."
     Wildfire stood silently and followed me into the edge of the forest. I watched him as he stooped to
pick up some loose lumber. "Come on," I whispered, "hold on, Wildfire." I quickly filled my arms and we
headed back into camp. We barely made it before Wildfire dropped to his knees. The wood I carried was
thrown from my arms as the chain pulled one of my hands away. Wildfire was on all fours and his body
shook. "Wildfire, what's wrong?" I asked reaching down and touching his arm. The skin was cold and the
sleeve of the T-shirt was damp. "Jeez, you're freezing . . . and your clothes are still wet."
     Wildfire pulled away from my touch and sat back on his knees. "I'll be okay . . . I just need some
sleep."
     I looked over at the teen. His shoulders still shook and his eyes were feverish. "Yeah, sure," I said
reaching for him.
     He grabbed my advancing hand and asked what I was doing. "You've got to get these wet clothes
off," I said. He lifted his arms up so I could slide the shirt off. The shackle didn't allow us to take the shirt
completely off. We ended up letting it hang between us on the chain. I quickly unbuttoned my jacket and
removed it. The manacle again got in the way. I ended up turning the jacket inside out, that way he could
wear it after we threaded it over the shackle. He stumbled with the buttons so I helped him. As I worked
the buttons up, I noticed fresh bruises on the shoulder I had injured. "Oh man, when did that happen?" I
groaned.
     Wildfire looked and said, "When I fell. Thanks for the coat it should help me warm up."
     "Take your jeans off." He needed to get out of all his wet clothes. He shook his head and pulled
back. "They're wet . . . I'll get the blanket for you to wrap up in." Wildfire kicked his shoes off and
shrugged out of his jeans. I helped him wrap the blanket around himself and then quickly removed his
soaked socks before he could argue. I hung the jeans and socks over a low branch and set the shoes next
to where the fire would be.
     I stacked a pile of branches together and tried to start a fire. The first match wouldn't light. "Great,"
I mumbled. I went to light another one when Wildfire doubled over coughing. His coughs were deep and
painful, he had swallowed some water earlier. I moved behind him and pulled him back into a sitting
position. "Sitting up will help you breathe easier," I said. My mind flashed back to my life with Yoshi. One
time I had gotten a form of pneumonia and sitting up had helped. Wildfire leaned against me for support.
His body shook from chills. I leaned him against a tree and told him to hold on. The second match lit and
I started the fire. I put the fish on a splint and hung them over the flame. As I cooked the meal, I looked
over at Wildfire. His eyes were closed and I hoped that he was asleep.
     The fish cooked quickly and I used my fingers to open one of them. I scooped up some of the white
fluffy meat and offered it to Wildfire. He opened his eyes and shook his head pulling back. "Come on,
you've got to eat." All we had eaten today was the small energy bar. Fish was probably not the best thing
to offer a sick person but it was all I had. I forced a bite into his mouth.
     "I don't think this is such a good idea," he mumbled after he swallowed.
     "Just a couple more bites," I said placing another bite of meat in his mouth. I got him to take about
five bites before he refused to eat anymore.
     "You give me one more bite and I'll get sick," he warned.
     I quickly finished off his fish and the other one. After helping Wildfire over to the stream for a drink,
we got ready to bed down for the night. I glanced over at Wildfire. He was sitting up with his head resting
on his knees. I knew what he needed but wasn't sure he would let me do it. I moved behind him and sat
down leaning against the tree. I placed a leg on either side of him and pulled back on his shoulders. "My
body heat should help his chills," I thought. He tensed at my touch. "Come on, even wolves sleep together
for warmth," I said softly. The sick teen didn't move. Then I remembered another time, the first night we
had found Wildfire. I leaned up and whispered in his ear, "Rest now, Wildfire. You're safe."
     He pulled away and looked over his shoulder at me, he remembered. "I trusted you then . . ."
     "You can again." I could see the fear, hope, and other feelings flash in his eyes. Then he turned
away and let me pull him into my embrace. His body was quaking with chills but his forehead was burning
with fever. I adjusted the blanket so it covered both of us and soon fell into a restless sleep.
     The next morning, I couldn't wake Wildfire up. His fever was still raging and his body shook from
the chills. I spent most of the morning at his side . . . like I could go anywhere. I carried him over to the
stream a couple of times to get a drink and soak my bandanna in the cool water. I would place the cool
cloth across Wildfire's forehead to soothe his fever. His jeans and other clothes were dried by that
afternoon. As I redressed him, I talked to Wildfire hoping for a response . . . I got none. The hours
dragged by. I caught a couple more fish and tried to feed Wildfire some of the soft cooked meat.
     "Come on, Wildfire . . . eat." I placed a bite into his mouth and his teeth chomped down. I let out a
yelp and jerked my hand back. I let his head fall back onto the ground and placed the bleeding finger in
my mouth. I glared down at the teen and pulled back as far as the chain would allow. "Fine," I said
disgusted. "Starve, see if I care. I didn't sign up to be your nurse maid." I ate the rest of the fish and let
Wildfire lay. Shortly before sunset, the sick teen got delirious.
     "Stop it!" he yelled, startling me out of a catnap. "I don't want this . . . leave me alone."
     I moved over and caught his arms as he struck out. I held them down and said, "Stop what,
Wildfire. What is the matter? Wildfire . . ."
     "No . . . no . . . not Wildfire," he mumbled, "no leader . . . can't be . . . I'm not Wildfire."
     His voice trailed off and he stopped his struggling. I let go of his arms and backed away. "His
armor," I thought, "he's fighting with his armor . . . I wonder who will win?"
     I moved next to the stream to wet the bandanna again. This time I left it sopping wet and stuck the
twisted cloth into the mouth of the unconscious teen. He drained the fabric dry. I resoaked it and gave him
some more water before I placed the cloth across his forehead.
     That night I looked up at the starlit sky as I laid next to Wildfire. "Ancient," I whispered, "if you can
truly hear me and know when we're in trouble . . . I could use some assistance right now. Wildfire needs
help and I don't know what to do for him." Wildfire tossed in his sleep and ended up nestled next to me. I
draped my arm across his shoulders and reached up to touch his forehead. the fever had dropped. "Maybe
tomorrow," I thought, "we can get back in the race."
     The next morning there was good news and bad news. The bad was that Wildfire was still dead to
the world. The good news was that our camp had been invaded while we had slept. The fire was going
strong and to one side was a small wooden bowl of soup and a flask. Wildfire had been moved and now
laid on a stretcher. My jacket, which he still wore, was opened and his T-shirt had been lifted up. Across
the skin of his shoulder was some more of that gook the Ancient had used before. The Ancient had come
last night. I opened the small flask and a strange odor tingled my nose. "This must be yours, Wildfire," I
said with a smile. Then I reached for the bowl of soup and took a sip. It was still warm, our visitor hadn't
left very long ago. I managed to get most of the soup into Wildfire. I had fish again, it was slowly losing its
appeal. After our meager meal, I cleaned up camp. It was time to move on. At first when I'd seen the
stretcher I thought it meant the others were coming to help me carry him back to camp. But as the
morning wore on, I came to realize it had another purpose . . . it would enable me to drag Wildfire behind
me. It was not the fastest mode of transportation but anything was better than sitting there. I followed the
streambed. The way was hard but we still managed to make good time. About noon I came upon a couple
of bushes with ripe berries. They weren't the same ones I had eaten and looked like the ones Sai had
offered me. I filled the bowl with berries and ate a handful. If they were bad ones, I would find out soon
enough. I stayed near the water so it was easy to give the sick teen drinks along the way. That night we
had fish again for supper. I couldn't get Wildfire to eat any of it. I placed a piece in his mouth and he
choked.
     "Can't say I blame you," I said forcing myself to eat the rest of the fish. After I finished, I thought of
the berries. I hadn't felt any ill effects so I offered one to Wildfire. He swallowed it and opened his eyes,
they were still clouded and delirious.
     "Please," he begged. "Stop, I don't . . ."
     "Wildfire," I said, "stop fighting destiny. You are Ryo of the Wildfire . . . accept it!"
     My words seemed to have an effect as he closed his eyes and drifted back into the darkness. "Ryo .
. . of the Wildfire," he mumbled softly.
     The next morning, I awoke feeling grubby. The cool water of the stream racing beside us beckoned
me. Since Wildfire was still running a slight fever, the cool water would do him good too. I took our jeans,
shoes, and socks off and laid them across a fallen tree. The shirts and jacket were next but all they could
do was hang between us on the chain. As I walked into the water, I bit back the familiar fear as the water
rose up to my waist. I ignored my phobia and washed Wildfire off. Then I rinsed myself as I juggled to
hold onto Wildfire. The balancing act failed and we both ended up under the water. After that episode, I'd
had enough water for one day. I used the blanket to wrap Wildfire up. I then slid into my jeans and laid
the shirts and jacket out along the chain between us to dry. The sun dried them by lunch and, after
dressing myself, I checked on Wildfire. His fever had broken and he was sleeping soundly, so I just piled
his clothes on the litter beside him and continued the journey.
A couple of hours later, I stopped and stripped my sweater off. I was sweating from the workout. It
was time to dress Wildfire. He would already have enough questions when he awoke, one didn't have to
be why he was unclothed. As I dressed him, I noticed little signs. He would be back in the world of the
living very soon.
     He did not prove me wrong. In less than fifteen minutes, he pushed the blanket off his head and
looked around confused. "Hey, welcome back to the real world."
     He turned to look at me and then started to stand. His legs were not ready and he was thrown to the
ground. I caught him and set him back. "Hey, take it easy. You've been out for quite a while."
     The truth soaked in and he asked, "How long?" He stretched back out and closed his eyes.
     "Two days."
     "Two days!" I was ready this time when he sat and braced him while the world stilled. "We only had
a week to get back."
     "That's why I've been dragging you on this stretcher," I said gesturing to the litter. "I haven't made
the greatest time, but any closer is better then sitting still."
     "How in the world have you been able to function?" he asked pointing to the shackle.
     "It's been a challenge," I admitted with a grin. Then I added a little white lie for effect. "I carried you
from place to place as I made the stretcher. Then once you were on that, it was just a matter of dragging
you to where I wanted to go."
     Wildfire looked over at me his eyes veiled in confusion. "And I never once woke up?" He picked up
a small stone and threw it across the stream. He pulled his legs up and rested his head on his knees. "How
much farther do you think the temple is?"
     I reached over him and got the small bowl full of berries. I poured some in my hand and offered
them to Wildfire. "You were delirious through most of it and we're probably still a day or more away from
the temple. Here, it's not much, but . . ."
     Wildfire quickly ate the berries in my hand and the ones left in the bowl. After he finished, he ran his
hand through his hair. He paused and touched the still damp ends. "We get caught in the rain?"
     I paused and felt a flush of heat on my cheeks. "Here we go," I thought, "the moment of truth." I
was afraid of what Wildfire might think if he knew I had bathed him, but it had really helped his fever. So
I answered his question. "No, actually I wanted a bath this morning." I paused and lifted my arm with the
shackle attached to it and added, "And when I got a bath, so did you. The cool water probably broke your
temperature, which allowed you to wake up."
     Wildfire nodded his head and fingered the material of the jacket. "How in the world did you keep the
shirts dry and bathe me?"
     "I didn't," I admitted. Then I went on to tell him about the morning.
     "Now what?" Wildfire asked after I had finished.
     I looked over at where he sat. He was leaning against a tree, resting. "Actually, you should probably
rest some more . . . you're still exhausted."
     "Come on, I've been enough of a burden. Let me catch my breath and then we can move on."
     "You haven't been a burden . . . okay, maybe you have but that is not the point. The fact is I owe
you." I moved forward and undid the jacket. Wildfire relaxed and didn't object when I lifted his shirt to
examine his shoulder. "He trusts me," I thought silently as I gently probed the still swollen shoulder. I
continued aloud, "I mean we wouldn't be in this mess if I would just learn to control my temper."
     "I haven't been acting very well either," Wildfire said. "It's just been like I had to prove something to
you . . ."
     "You did."
     "What do you mean?"
     "It's a long story, maybe after we get back I'll explain." I pulled the shirt back down and added, "I've
tried to keep the swelling down until we can get you back to your armor."
     A pained look flashed across Wildfire's face. "It won't do any good. I'm afraid this race is to make
sure you will remain a Ronin Warrior. I've already lost my chance."
     He turned away from me but I could see the suffering his words had caused. "What are you saying?"
I demanded.
     Wildfire jerked back around and pointed at his shoulder. "The Ancient said if I injured the shoulder
anymore the armor may not be able to heal the arm again." He turned away from me and laid down on his
side. "Leave it be," he said softly.
     He was close to losing it. I had seen the tears in his eyes. A conflict arose inside me. Wildfire needed
to be reassured. However to do so, I would have to drop a few walls myself. I moved closer and laid
down behind him. Then I draped an arm protectively around him and said, "Rest now, Wildfire . . . don't
give up hope. The armor chose you and I think it will have the last say on whether or not you're to be a
Ronin Warrior."
     I thought he had fallen asleep but then he said, "I hope you're right, Kento. I have the feeling the
world is going to need us all really soon." Then he did fade off to sleep.
     I too felt the pull of sleep and fell into it. Right before I dozed off, I whispered aloud, "You are Ryo
of the Wildfire." The teen in question seemed to relax and I could feel the barrier drop. He was right
though. The evil was almost upon us, I could feel it. "Please," I thought, "just give us a little more time.
We're not ready yet."