Sekhmet stood before Talpa and Shymal, trembling with fear as Talpa shouted

dire threats at the warlord. He had lost a battle to a child, one of the

Ronin Warrior's children at that. But Talpa had no idea the power this

child held. The burn mark from her dagger still stung on his cheek where

the flesh had been hit. Shymal, on the other hand, seemed to have expected

this outcome. But like Sekhmet, the spirit was staying quiet for the time

being. Only when Talpa was done did Shymal speak.

"Great Lord, I think I know of a way we could use the child instead of

destroying her," Shymal said.

"And what would that be?"

"Make her our fourth warlord, Great Talpa. Flood her with negative energy,

the same way you did with the others. Then we can use her to destroy the

Ronin Warriors. It will be something they do not expect."

Talpa pondered this suggestion for a moment, then gave a wicked laugh. It

made both Sekhmet and Shymal shudder.

"This idea pleases me, Shymal. I shall send Dais to bring the child to me.

Then we shall see how the Ronins fair against one of their own."

Ryo and Kye-Ren had spent most of the night explaining abut what had

happened during the time Ryo had been missing, as well as telling them about

DawnFire's unique gifts. It was DawnFire that the Dynasty was after, and

that concerned everyone. DawnFire, on the other hand, was more concerned

about how she was going to climb onto WhiteBlaze's back when the tiger kept

walking around in circles around her. Kayura watched them both while the

Ronins talked with each other.

She was very worried about what Talpa would try to do to the little girl.

This child was so different from everyone else, even her. Had the Ancient

One still been around he would have found this little child a mystery. Such

great power resided in her, and yet she went around as if she didn't notice

it, or, if she did, she acted like it was nothing. But Talpa... He would

either try to destroy her or try to use that power against the Ronin

Warriors. And Kayura feared he would try the latter of the two first. She

couldn't allow that to happen.

DawnFire, noticing Kayura for the first time, smiled and waved to the tall

woman. Kayura smiled back, hiding a laugh as WhiteBlaze knocked DawnFire

over. The little child made no sound, but instead hugged the tiger, her

blue eyes sparkling with laughter. That was another thing Kayura didn't

understand. DawnFire didn't talk, not out loud anyway, unless she was

mimicking some sort of sound or attack. When she did speak it was with

telepathy. That in itself was strange, for although both Ryo and Kye-Ren

could do the same, it wasn't how they normally talked. It was as if this

child was the opposite of them in some aspects, but more like them in

others. Or, more like Ryo anyway. Already Kayura was sensing that this

child had Ryo's personality, and that would get her into trouble later if

Talpa did catch her.

'No,' Kayura thought to herself. 'I mustn't think like that. Talpa will

not catch her.'

::Who is Talpa?:: DawnFire asked Kayura, shielding herself from everyone

else so that they wouldn't hear.

::Talpa is a demon,:: Kayura replied in the same manner. ::A very powerful

one. We fear he may try to use you to hurt others.::

::No! I won't hurt others. Only hurt those who hurt us. Protect other

people!::

::I am glad you feel that way, little one. You are very much like your

father.::

DawnFire beamed at this statement and gave WhiteBlaze another hug. The

giant tiger licked DawnFire's face, causing the little girl to giggle. A

minute later she was chasing WhiteBlaze around in a large circle, this time

laughing out loud. Ryo looked over at them briefly, a smile flashing across

his worried face before turning back to his friends. Kayura prayed for both

their sakes that whatever Talpa was planning didn't succeed.

Dais stood in a tree on the other side of the yard, watching the Ronins as

the talked. He could see the little brat that Talpa was after standing near

the window, with Kayura and WhiteBlaze nearby. This wasn't going to be an

easy attack, but he had it perfectly planned. On his signal a troop of

Dynasty soldiers attacked the house, startling everyone. To his delight

only Kayura and WhiteBlaze stayed with the brat, as did the annoying woman

named Mia. This would be easier than he had thought. Shymal had given him

something that would knock that trio of protectors out for hours, and there

would be no way the Ronin brats could stop him.

With the speed of lightning Dais crashed through the window, easily knocking

Mia out of the way. DawnFire, faced with this new warrior, ran and hid

behind Kayura. Both WhiteBlaze and Kayura stood ready to fight, both ready

to attack.

"There's no way I am letting you take this child, Dais," Kayura growled.

"You already know what happened to Sekhmet."

"I don't plan on using an attack the brat can mimic, Kayura. This time,

she is coming with us."

Dais tossed the little ball onto the floor, covering his mouth as the

green-grey smoke began to pour out of it. Within seconds the three were

coughing and gagging, then fell to the floor. DawnFire began kicking as

Dais picked her up, but White Blaze and Kayura were already unconscious.

::DADDY! HELP!:: DawnFire shouted as Dais carried her out the window.