Last Time on Ronin Warriors: Returning Reign. Anya was in the neither realm in order to speak to Shino. In the throne room she and Adrien awaited Shino's attention as he spook to a strange man. However, when the man left Anya only got more questions from her brother. Shino explained that she was the only pure noble in her family that lived past a year old and that Shinji and himself were only her half brothers and she still has a living half sister. Meanwhile, the boys are back in the real world and Cye was attacked by Joro the warlord of poison. But then, Ares showed up with the rock key and a note from Anya. Now the boys head into the dynasty in hopes of saving Anya.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ronin Warriors.

Returning Reign

Episode 17: Dreams Of Thy Youth

"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there." - Herb Caen

Adrien gazed into the fire that crackled quietly in his fire pit that sat in the center of his room. He laid on his side in a daze, thoughts flew through his head. And soon, sleep began to claim him. He did not fight this temptation, for he did not get it very often anymore. Slowly he laid his head down on his blanket and let the darkness of sleep take him.

There was something warm and soft in his hands, he laced it around his fingers playfully and looked down at what object was there. He was surprised, it was small plush toy of a bear, it looked worn and handsewn, but he knew exactly where it came from.

Looking up he saw his mother who hummed softly as she fixed his snow boots. She wore a kimono with 20 layers, most of the layers not seen were made of cotton and other warm cloth to keep the winter cold out. The outer most kimono was decorated with Sakura blossoms and light hues of blue and purple. Her long black hair was half up on a bun while the rest pooled over her fragile shoulders. Adrien couldn't help but gape at her beauty, "Mother." he whispered and brown soft eyes met his own.

She smiled gently at him, "yes musuko?" she asked.

A gentle breeze came through their large kago as the curtain surrounded them opened somewhat. Adrien shivered and held his doll close.

His mother smiled and reached behind him being careful not to sake the kago too much. She laid blankets over his shoulders and had him hold them closed. He watched her carefully, all her movement were elegant and carefully taken. It was a wonder why such a former geisha would ever want to become a wife of an often drunken nobleman. "Go to sleep musuko, we will be in a village soon."

Adrien smiled and nodded vigorously, just child his age would, he laid down and shut his eyes.

He was awakened not long after as the caravan came to a sudden halt. Opening his eyes he saw his mother peeking her head outside the curtains where the mid-winter snow fell like a dance. "What is wrong?" she asked slowly.

Adrien could hear his father's voice demanding the same thing, but with more force. Adrien could imagine his noble father sitting high and mighty on his black and white stallion as he looked down at his servants and guards.

"There is movement in the forest, honorable one." Came the voice of Taro, his father's captain of the guard. "We believe it might be one of Ancient Clan, it is said their village is hidden around here."

"Do you really believe such rubbish, Taro?" his father demanded. "The Ancients were wiped out decades ago."

The curtain blew aside somewhat and Adrien caught a glance of Taro bowing to his father to apologize. Arrows were ready on his back for an attack, they looked like a set of peacock feathers when they were spread out. Taro's oak bow rested on his laps while his sword was in his hilt on his saddle.

"Let us continue, no one can outmatch our defenses. And I would like to see them try." Adrien's father said in confidence.

"Yes, my liege." Taro replied with another bow and took the lead once again.

Adrien gasped as he fell back against the blankets as the caravan began to move again, his mother looked at him and laughed softly. "Musuko, you must learn to be more graceful. There is no room to fall when you are meant to become a great lord like your father."

"Yes haha." Adrien whispered and peered out a thin opening in the curtain. The snow was still falling and the guards around them looked miserable and cold. All their cheeks and noses were red and their breath could be seen as they exhaled. They had more thin clothing on and gloves that were all tattered and worn out from the days of traveling.

Adrien wondered what it was like to be one of them. They had to be proud, they were protecting a man of great power and whom sat near the emperor at every council meeting. Of course, they were also protecting him and his mother as well. Not mention, they could wield a sword or bow better than any man in the army of Japan. For example, Taro was a master of the sword and bow, it was rumored that he was trained by a clan of great samurai who lived on Fuji Mountain. He could kill any one before they even knew he had made a move. Adrien would love to see Taro fight, it would be a joy and a dream come true.

However, Taro did have his faults, Adrien had once caught him going into his mother's room after dark and didn't leave for almost two hours. It was one of the only times his father had left him and his mother to travel to the capital. But, Adrien was too young to comprehend such action yet. To him, Taro was just another childhood hero.

Adrien suddenly snapped out of his daydream as the guard, whom he had been gazing at longingly, fell from his horse dead. All around him there was quick action, and people yelling and giving orders. Young Adrien was suddenly pulled into his mother's arms as she clung to him in fear.

Outside, he could hear his father demanding what was going on. This was one of the times that Adrien wished he could tell his father how much of a fool he was sometimes. There was a whistle and his mother screamed as an arrow passed through the curtain where he had been sitting only a moment ago.

Adrien sighed but then screamed as well when another arrow hit the kago and the curtain suddenly caught on fire. There was even more panic now from the outside as the kago was suddenly dropped and hit the ground hard. Adrien felt his knee smash on the ground, he felt tears well up in his eyes.

The guards started to try to pry the mother and son from the kago before they were burned to death by the fire, but his mother's kimono was stuck. In desperation someone grabbed Adrien from his mother's arms as they pulled her out alone.

Looking out of the guards kimono he saw people falling dead from arrow and trying to fighting the on coming enemy. It was a band of thieves, he could tell from their tattered clothing. Finally, his mother was pulled from the flames by Taro and he grabbed both her and his hands and began to lead them from the battle scene.

Suddenly, his mother pulled away and screamed in agony as she fell before her dead husband who had been crushed by his own horse, and had an arrow in his throat. "Yutaka!" she cried out and cradled her husband in her arms. "Yutaka!"

"My lady, we must go, now, before they kill you two as well!" Taro ordered over his mother's cries. He let go of Adrien for a moment to pry his mother away from the cold dead man's body.

Adrien stood in the ankle deep snow in shock, blood was shocked on the ground and his father's mouth was still open along with his eyes which stared into Adrien's soul, where they would stay forever. "Lady Daija! We must leave now!"

His mother looked up at the captain of the guard finally with tears running down her cheeks. She nodded and got up. Daija took her sons's hand and they ran behind Taro down the path they were traveling on.

They didn't get far.

A man jumped out in front of them with a spear in hand, he had a smile of a crazed man and his eyes were as sharp as a tiger's. Taro stood protectively in front of him and his mother, he raised his sword ready to attack.

The man began to laugh wickedly and the two men attacked each other. Their fight lasted a long time and Daija fell to the ground holding her son to her body tightly. Finally through, the man fell and Taro took a breath of relief.

He turned to Daija and Adrien and smiled, and Daija smiled in return and began to take Taro's outreached hand. But then, the man stood up slowly and stabbed Taro through the heart from behind.

Taro coughed blood up and Daija screamed his name, but everything was soundless to Adrien. The man smiled and took one of Taro's arrows as he fell to the ground. With a smirk the man aimed for Adrien and threw the arrow quicker than a bow could shoot it. Adrien closed his eyes and waited for impact, but nothing came. There only was a sudden silence and then battle cries from a different group of people.

The smell of death increased within moments, along with the sound of clashing swords and the whistle of arrows. Adrien looked up through a small hole in his mother's kimono and watched as what looked like fans pass over head and pin the man that killed Taro to a tree. Adrien could see from here how sharp the razor fans were, even if it was the first time he had ever seen such a weapon. Razor fans weren't used for years now, because only half a handful could master them without losing a finger or two.

The source of the fans came into view a moment later, his walk was more of a glide as they made their way to the man who glared at them. The warrior shared a few words with him which ended with him spitting in their face. The man raised his hand and slapped the bandit, as they did the hood to their cloak fell and long black beautiful hair, much like his mother's, fell down their back.

They then turned and Adrien gazed in shock, it was a women, a very young women. Her complection was more elegant and noble than her mother's and her skin was fair and unscathed. Her eyes were brown and blazed with fury, she turned as a young man, not quite her age a little older, with black hair in a pony tail joined her. They both looked tough and experienced.

She then looked in his direction, but knew she couldn't see him. "Mother... who is that?" Silence. "Mother... mother?" he questioned as he did a drop of blood dripped down and hit Adrien on the cheek.

That's when he realized what had happened, why the arrow never reached him. His mother had covered him in time to take the blow for him. Adrien began to cry he clung to his mother and closed his eyes as he heard the two nearby warriors begin to talk, "it looks like everyone was killed." said the man.

"We'll still look for survivors." the women stated with a soft voice and they walk away.

However, about 10 minutes later, the snow's cold burned at his skin on his scraped knee and he woke up from a light sleep. He winced and heard someone run towards his location.

Suddenly, his mother's body was being pushed away, but he clung onto her for dear life. "Over here, there's one alive here!" a man yelled, but Adrien didn't open his eyes to see who it was.

The snow crunched with someone running and Adrien suddenly felt a person placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Opening his eyes he looked into the brown eyes from the girl earlier, she smiled at him as he pulled away, but it wasn't a cruel smile but one of silent joyful laughter.

"Don't be afraid, we're here to help you." she told him in a soft and caring tone, Adrien felt his body relax as she caressed his cheek tenderly. "What is your name?"

"Adrien..." he whispered falling asleep again.

"How old are you?"

"5..." he slurred before he past out.

He awoke again as they entered a small hidden village that was surrounded in trees, "the Ancient Village..." he whispered. He looked up and saw that the women had him on her horse with her. Off to his left he saw the man who had killed Taro and his mother walking behind a horse with his wrists bind together and the rope was tired to a warrior's saddle. Adrien realized that the man was the same one who stood next to the women when she captured the bandit.

In the village they tied the bandit to a pole in the center of town and he was carried off into a hut. Inside the women gave him something to drink and began to take away his ruined noble clothes. They were all caked in blood and dirt.

What he drink went down his throat and brought a warm and comforting sensation to his body, which made him nearly forget everything. Later in life he would drink this five more time to relax his nerves, it wasn't alcoholic, just a tea that the girl would make for him when he needed it.

After he was finished she gave him a bath then placed him in her bed where he fell asleep instantly. In his sleep Adrien tossed and turned, until he finally cried out and sat up. He started to whimper and whine for his mother that would never come to him again.

Getting up, Adrien tightened the kimono that the girl had given him earlier. He walked to the cloth covered door and peered out. He jumped at seeing so many people in the town center. Most were in the outfits of Ancients, he never dreamed of ever seeing this.

Quietly, he made his way out and walked into the crowd until he got to where they were looking.

The bandit looked up at the women and man that captured him and one more man in the center who looked in his mid-50's and wore the highest level of Ancient's clothing, and in his hand he held the great golden staff.

"Why did you attack that caravan?" he asked calmly.

The bandit spat at his feet in reply, but the man did not make a move he stayed composed. The two warriors on each side of him also stayed calm, unlike how the girl had acted earlier. Adrien could only assume the man had said something insulting to her then.

"Why did you attack the noble's caravan?" the Ancient asked again.

"Because, it was fun." the man taunted with a crooked smile.

The Ancient looked down at the man with displeasure, "you, Ares, are a man of no morals. You're heart and soul are wild like the beast in your eyes, and so you will become that beast until you can properly redeem yourself." he stated, then turned to the girl. "Anya, you know what to do."

"Hai, Haku sensei." she replied and went before the bandit Ares. She began to chant under her breath and Ares looked in horror at her as he began to glow.

Adrien gasped, but no one else seemed fazed as the man suddenly turned into a black tiger. The tiger cried out in fear and the girl looked at him calmly. "You will get used to it." she told him.

The crowd around Adrien began to melt away, "Will you be alright?" asked the man from Haku's other side. Anya looked at him and nodded.

"Come, Shinji, let your sister take care of the rest." Haku stated, the man nodded and walked away with the Ancient.

As the crowd got smaller Anya looked up from the tiger who looked at itself in a container of water, and looked at Adrien. He jumped and began to back away, but she smiled.

"Couldn't sleep I see." she stated. "Go back inside before you get too cold, I'll be back in a few minutes." she explained then took a rope and tied it around the tiger's neck and led him away.

o-o-o-o

Years past and Adrien began to train under Shinji and Anya. Anya would mostly teach him how to sword fight and do archery. While Shinji taught him old spells and how to read and write.

Finally, at 16 he joined Anya and the other warriors that protected the village on a journey to the Kita-Dake. He was the youngest of the group, but was one of the strongest and most cunning. He hope that the Ancient would pick him to fight the new threat that was growing nearby.

At one of the camps they made Anya sat alone at the fire, she looked beautiful with the fire's shadows dancing on her face and in her eyes which had begun to change colors. Adrien blushed as he gazed at her, he had live in her hut for the past 11 years since no one seemed to want him to invade their families. He understood he was an outsider, but he swore to protect the village's people.

He began to get up to join Anya, when a soldier came from behind him and walked up to Anya. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Now, what can a beautiful and noble women like yourself be doing all alone by a fire?" he asked.

"Good evening, Hariel." she laughed lightly.

"Hariel..." Adrien growled under his breath, the young man had come from the very village Adrien's caravan was heading for when he was five. He was well-built and son of a peasant with a samurai background. He had learned to fight from Haku personally, and always spent time around Anya when he could take it from Adrien. He despised Hariel.

He watched as the young warrior sat next to Anya and they began to speak in hushed whispers. Adrien would watch as Anya would blush and giggle softly at something Hariel would tell her sometimes in her ear. Adrien made fists and tried to regain his composure again.

When he couldn't take anymore, Adrien got up and threw the stick he had been gripping into the crackling fire, then joined the others in sleep, while Hariel and Anya were left alone at the fire side.

o-o-o-o

When they got to the Kita-Dake they were all welcomed by Shinji whom was now clad in Ancient clothing and Haku. They both looked the same as the day Adrien had first met them, even Anya. They all gathered into a cave near the top of the mountain and were led to a secret chamber.

Everyone gaped in wonder as Anya looked proud along with her brother.

"Welcome warriors, to the Ronin Haven. Here I shall chose only five of you to become the warriors that will personally serve under myself and my two apprentices." he stated indicating Anya and Shinji.

There was a wave of talking as the 23 men in the room began to speak amongst themselves.

Adrien's thoughts resembled theirs, "only five... I must be one... I just must." He looked up and spotted Hariel gazing at Anya as she had her back to him as she spook to Haku. Adrien growled silently, who cares if Hariel was his friend or not.

Finally, Haku turned back to everyone and the entire group went silent. "Outside you will find your swords ready. Battle each other and when I personally defeat you, you must leave." he stated, "but... if I let you win... then you are chosen and will return here. Go." he stated and everyone rushed out.

Adrien and Hariel were last and walked out calmly. "Adrien, don't worry, you'll make it. And then we'll fight for the Ancients truly... and then I could get closer to Anya." he stated fondly clasping his friend on the shoulder, then he ran on ahead.

Adrien glared at his friend ran followed behind.

Outside the fighting went on for hours with Shinji and Anya observing everyone as Haku joined the battles. Until, finally, there were four men picked and only Hariel and Adrien were there to fight.

"Now, whomever wins this battle shall join the other three, the other must leave." Haku explained standing off to the side to watch.

The two friends faced each other, Hariel was puzzled as Adrien glared at him. "What?" he asked in curiosity.

"Don't let your guard down." Adrien hissed and attacked.

They fought for an hour before Adrien found himself on his back and the tip of Hariel's blade at his throat. "Hariel wins, congratulations." Haku stated flatly.

Hariel smiled and held a helping hand out for Adrien. He glared at him even more and knocked his hand away as he got up on his own. "You made a big mistake, Haku, just you wait." Adrien yelled and walked off.

"Adrien!" Anya called after him, but when she caught up to him to calm him down he only hissed and pushed her away. She looked shocked as he stalked off.

He walked in the woods unsure, but not really caring where he was going. His anger was leading him now, and he didn't care where he ended up. "Help!" came a cry far off, Adrien suddenly stopped and looked around, but he could hear or see anyone.

"Please help!" came a women's cry again. This time Adrien caught the presence of people not too far. He rushed towards the women's cry for help.

When he finally got to where the cries came from he saw soldiers clad in weird armor surrounding a women in a ring of trees which were lined by dead bodies of guards. The sight of the bodies triggered his memories of a child and he attack the soldiers.

Within minutes he had won and the women looked at Adrien thankfully. She was defiantly foreign, her curling red hair gave that away. "Thank you so much." she stated with an awkward bow, "you saved my life."

"Why were they attacking?" he asked. The girl looked at him and her eyes glittered as she smirked.

"To lure you." she replied.

"What?" Adrien demanded got his sword ready.

"Master Adrien, I'm not here to attack you. But, to hand you a proposition, one that could change your life forever, if you take it right away."

"I'm listening." Adrien stated and the girl smiled, suddenly a man appeared behind her. He had jet black hair and black eyes that showed a glimmer of gray in it. Adrien got into a defensive stance again.

He smiled, "My name is Lord Shino of the dynasty, server of Emperor Talpa. Adrien, what I am to offer you is a chance in a lifetime. I want you to become one of my soldiers, a warlord... or more precisely my captain of all my warlords." he stated.

"What?" Adrien questioned.

"Come join me in the neither realm and you shall receive, immortality, power beyond your imagination, and grand riches of all. Even maybe one day... Anya." the man stated.

Adrien gasped, "how do you..."

"I have watched you, Adrien, for many years now. You have great potential, greater than Hariel's, but that fool Haku cannot see this. Come with me and I will help you gain that power and your dreams." he offered, "its now or never."

Adrien looked at Shino, then to the girl, and finally up at Kita-Dake.

"So?" Shino asked patiently.

Adrien shot a look at him, "ok, I'll do it. I'll join you." he stated.

Shino smiled, "great." he walked up to Adrien. "You are now Adrien the warlord of Death, and the captain of warlords. Welcome to the dynasty." he stated and held out a hand for Adrien to seal the deal.

Adrien took one more moment to think things through as he looked at Shino's hand, but finally took it and Shino laughed. Adrien gasped as his arm began to burn. A tattoo of a dragon flew up his arm until its teeth seemed to wait to bite at Adrien's neck.

Adrien shot up as his neck began to burn, quickly he got out of his undergear so he was only in a pair of cotton pants. He stumbled over to his water basin and placed his arm into it as the tattoo on his arm glowed and burned further into his skin and the teeth inched closer to his neck.

"I am not thinking of double crossing my lord." he hissed.

As the burning slowly eased he rinsed his face off then went back into his undergear.

Standing up he looked into a mirror on his wall, he thought of the last moments he had with Hariel. He was about to kill him, when Talpa came. Adrien quickly escaped so that the emperor would not know of his existence completely. He was there when Hariel turned against Anya and the other and when he was killed.

And as Hariel took his last breaths Adrien approached him before Anya could make it to him. That was when he stabbed Hariel in the gut, and Anya watched. He felt his heart break as he saw her cry at his feet before Hariel, and she swore to kill him. She knew that if he had not attacked Hariel so lowly the man would've lived.

Adrien tore away from his reflection as he felt Helen enter the room, "what do you want?" he hissed.

She smiled, "the bird has flown from the nest, Shino wants you to follow her." she replied.

Shino sighed and bowed, "as you wish." he stated as his armor appeared on him and his disappeared from the room.

Reviews please.