Disclaimer: I don't own them, just wanted to write a fanfiction about them. Ronin Warriors belong to Sunrise and Graz Entertainment. If you have any comments, please direct them to bhollan2@hotmail.com.

Warning: This is a yaoi (AKA: Male/Male Relationship) fanfiction. If you do not like that type of thing then please do not read. Any flames will be laughed at. You have been warned.

Heartfelt thanks goes out to Winter who has graciously proofed this story for me, and pointed out my glaringly obvious errors. You're the best. ^_~

Shadows stand guard around a lonely temple. No one comes here anymore, but a solitary figure is seen standing off to the side. The figure has his eyes turned down and a heavy-hearted expression flits across his face. The temple holds a memory, a painful memory that he would rather forget. But no, his soul won't let him. Sighing, the figure took one last look at the ivy-covered entrance before reaching a hand beneath the vines. He felt for the hidden latch and gently pressed the release switch. The switch was coded to his DNA and so released with little protest. The ivy, however, creaked as the hidden door swung open on well oiled hinges. Entering the temple, the figure looked at the four stone memorials, where his friends lay still as death. Walking to the center of the room, Rowen of the Strata fell to his knees and began crying as memories overtook his pale form.

~ Five years ago, the guys had come to the temple on a whim. They had heard that it held many secrets and even a potential treasure if one could figure out the riddle on the wall. Rowen had especially been excited. He could feel the lure of the temple calling him, so he had coaxed the others into coming with him. The five friends entered the temple together laughing, but only one exited. The others all fell victim to the hidden traps within the temple. Rowen knew they were not dead, but they might as well have been. He could not revive them; they all appeared as if frozen in time.

He, himself did not know what had happened, his memories of the time being quite vague. And the memories he did have were ones that Mia had filled him in on. Yet, he still remembered very little. It was as if his memory had been totally wiped out. However, one thing stood out prominently in his hazy mind: he remembered entering the temple with his friends. One minute they had all been standing in the center of the room looking around curiously, the next Rowen was alone. His friends and partners gone as if they never existed. He searched frantically for them to no avail.

Rowen must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew, he felt Cye's presence being ripped from his mind. Opening his eyes, he saw a stone pyre raise with Cye's unconscious form laid upon it, a serene expression on his face. It was the same with the others. One by one, Rowen felt their presences leaving his mind. He cried out in pain as he felt their links breaking and the stone pyres rising. Each holding the form of a friend.

Kento came soon after Cye, then Ryo and finally Sage. Rowen was alone. He tried to revive each of his friends but every attempt failed. Rowen felt so miserable that he wished that whatever took his friends would take him too, but nothing happened to him. He continued to wait in the vain hope that somehow everything was just a dream.

Mia found him in the room two days later. She had gotten concerned when they did not return home as promised and had gone looking for them. When she arrived at the temple she could not get in. She waited, knowing somehow that they were indeed inside. She was rewarded for her wait, when the door slowly creaked open of its own accord. She rushed inside, not caring if she herself were trapped within.

She stopped short though, upon seeing the four prone figures, a slight scream issuing from her lips. Her eyes finally landed on Rowen. He was cradling Sage's blonde head in his lap and rocking slowly back and forth. He never even noticed she was in the room with him. She had gasped in horror at seeing his distraught and tear streaked face. She knew instinctively that she had to get Rowen out of the temple, or he would die in there. He was the only one left, but he was so shattered that no details were forthcoming.

It was not hard to pry Rowen's limp form from Sage and she half carried, half dragged the unaware Ronin out of the temple. The moment Rowen slipped past the doorway, the entrance sealed itself up and no amount of banging was going to get the door open again. Mia looked at the door in fear. Her other friends were still in there, but they did not appear to be alive. Swallowing down her misery, she eyed the despondent figure in front of her. She would have to watch him carefully she knew. He looked so fragile and she knew he had not eaten for the past two days. Reaching into the jeep's trunk, she pulled out a cooler and got a small jug of water out of it. Making a small sandwich, she prayed that Rowen would be able to eat it and keep it down.

Rushing back to his side, she saw that his eyes had drifted closed but he was not asleep. "Rowen?" she asked and received no reply. His gaze was still unfocused and murky. Tilting his head back, Mia poured a little bit of the water down Rowen's parched throat. She then began to feed the sandwich to the air Ronin. He ate mechanically and only because she would not take no for an answer. Rowen just wanted to be with his friends and now, a stone door barred his way.

With that realization sinking in, Rowen's eyes cleared and the clear blue shined through. Standing up on shaky legs, he ran to the door, ignoring Mia's protests. He pressed against the door, but it refused to budge. He banged against it repeatedly until Mia took his bloodied hands in hers and gently began leading him away. She had said softly "Come on Rowen. You need to get some rest."

Rowen simply shook his head. "No, I want to be with them. Please let me be with them," he begged to no one in particular. It was then, that a disembodied voice could be heard coming from the temple. It almost sounded like Rowen's voice. Almost, but it wasn't.

"Rowen of the Strata, you have failed to figure out the puzzle. Your friends will remain here until you do. None of you will age, including the girl. You will have a chance each year to solve the riddle. Only then, will you be allowed admittance to the temple. There is a hand print on the right side of the temple that is coded with you and the girl's DNA. At that time, you and she will be able to freely come and go as you please. After two days' time, the temple will be sealed again, unless the riddle is solved. Do not worry about your friends, they will be fine and have no memory of being held here."

Rowen had panicked the moment the voice had started to talk. "Riddle? What riddle? I never saw any riddle."

The voice replied in the same bored tone. "That is your problem, Strata. You think too much about things. The riddle is right in front of your face, if you but look and listen to your heart." Then the voice faded away as if it never were.

Rowen, in frustration had called his armor and used an Arrow Shockwave on the temple door. Only to have the shockwave be absorbed and diffused into the stones around the temple. That action cost him a year; therefore it was two years before he saw his friends again.

Over those two years, he lost weight and moved about lifelessly. He had visited the temple often but could never gain admittance. Mia would often find him staring at the temple walls and would gently lead him back home. She took the whole thing rather well, seeing as she and Ryo were planning on getting married. Rowen wondered if that would ever occur now. He knew that the auburn-haired girl had never given up on him or the others.

In the third year after the guys had become entombed, Rowen became most desperate. Mia had been there for him, as she always had been. However, Rowen had yet to forgive himself for not figuring out the unspoken riddle. He had become so despondent that he had locked himself in the bathroom, and slit his wrists. He thought that Mia would not be home for several more hours, but she must have sensed how desperate he was becoming. She appeared in the bathroom doorway almost as soon as he had completed the act. He never did figure out how she got the door open.

Surprise was etched across his features as he stared wide-eyed at the girl, who had stood by his side throughout the last several years. He had attempted to stand up, only to fall hitting his head on the sink. Mia had taken care of him then, when he needed her the most. The damage, however, had been done. Rowen now held scars across both of his wrists, a vivid reminder of the nightmare he was living. Mia never said a word about his actions, though she did watch him a lot closer from then on out. Instead, she had simply held him as he cried over his loss, her own tears mingling with his.

The experience made Rowen resolve to solve the riddle and hence, he was once again back at the temple entrance in an effort to figure out the unseen riddle. He once again failed before his time was up and the temple literally threw him out. It hurt so much to see his friends so still, but yet he kept coming back. This time though he vowed it would be different. He would solve this riddle or he would die trying. ~

Rowen started when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up through half open eyes, he saw a pale figure standing above him. Scooting back in fear, he suddenly realized that it was only Mia who was there. "Mia?" he asked softly, unsure.

"Yes Rowen, it's me. I thought you might be here. You okay?"

Rowen looked at her and said, "Well yeah, I guess so. Just caught up in memories, you know?"

Mia nodded her head as she patrolled the perimeter of the temple. Looking at the young man, she smiled briefly, as she thought about how close they had grown. They were almost like a brother and sister. Coming out of her musings, she eyed the temple critically. Things appeared exactly as they did a year ago. However, there were no cobwebs to note a spider's passing. It was almost as if the temple had its own housekeeper. Stopping at Ryo's side, she gently let her lips kiss him softly and as she did so, her hand brushed against a hidden lever embedded in the pyre. A sudden shifting sound alerted Rowen to a problem.

Glancing over at Rowen, she shrugged her shoulder in a helpless gesture. He rushed over to her to find a hidden drawer had slid open. Inside lay the yellowing pages of a long forgotten riddle. 'Those who have one heart shall be separated from one another till they realize what having one heart truly means. The lovers will be forlorn but time will prevail. Only the blue haired one shall be immune, since he shall be the one to set the others free. The unknown love will finally be revealed and in turn it shall enable the other lost souls to return. However, shall the one chosen fail in his task, his friends will fall and become permanent residents of this here temple.'

Rowen blinked at the words. Obviously they were meant for him and his friends, but he knew for a fact that the drawer never existed till now. So, why now after five years did it appear?

"STRATA!!!!!!" a booming voice bellowed out from around the room. Mia pressed up against Rowen's form in an effort to be protected. Rowen groaned. The voice was back.

"What is it that you want this time?" he asked, tiredly.

The voice simply laughed. "I want nothing more than for you to solve the riddle. Once that is done you and your friends will be set free. However, you, my friend, think way too much. I have told you once before but I am feeling rather charitable. So here you go again. Look into your heart, Rowen. The answer is as simple as your feelings." With that the voice vanished.

Rowen slammed his hand down on the altar next to Ryo's head, a tear coursed over his cheek. "It's not fair Mia. It's not. We only wanted to explore. Not become entombed. Why didn't it take me too? I have no clue as to why I was left alone. Why?"

Mia could only shake her head. "Rowen, you are not alone. I am here and they are still alive, if barely. You mustn't give up hope."

"Hope? That's a joke. I am supposed to be the smart one of the group and yet, the voice makes fun of me. I have yet to save my friends, though I have had five years to sort out my thoughts. So tell me, what hope is there?"

Mia had heard enough. She had been putting up with Rowen's depression for five years now and everyone had a breaking point. She slapped him hard across the face. His eyes widened at her action. "DON'T you ever dare say that again Rowen Hashiba. As long as they are alive, I will not give up hope. You hear me. I will not lose Ryo to this place!!!"

"Mia . . . I . . . I'm sorry Mia. I didn't mean to be that way. You're right. Come on. We are running out of time."

Mia smiled weakly at the blue-haired boy. "That's the spirit Rowen. Now let's see that there riddle."

Rowen carefully handed over the yellowing pages. "See Mia, look at the first line. It has to do with one heart but what does it mean? I am guessing that it is referring to the guys and I, but one heart?"

Mia looked over at the sleeping boys and then back at Rowen. She began to tap her fingernails against Ryo's pyre when a thought struck her. "Rowen, you lost the links to them didn't you?"

Rowen turned away from her. "Yeah, the link was broken the moment Cye showed up on his pyre. The other links broke soon afterwards."

Mia turned him to face her. "Rowen, why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have helped."

Rowen shook his head. "No, Mia. It was something that I had to deal with myself. I mean, I felt totally void without the guys' thoughts echoing in my mind. That is partly what caused my depression. I was so used to them being there, that when the links were cut I was totally alone. I know you were there for me Mia, but it just wasn't the same. You know what I mean?"

"I think so, but Rowen you still should have told me that the links were broken. I never even guessed till now."

Rowen laughed slightly. "Guess I am better at hiding it than I thought," he said grinning.

Mia looked at the man afore her. He had matured greatly over the last five years, but the years had also left their mark. Mia was shocked when it appeared as if she and Rowen were indeed aging. She had never figured out if the voice was simply wrong or what, since the others never appeared to age in the temple. Sighing she looked at his pale and drawn face, seeing the dark circles around his eyes that marred his creamy white skin. He also had a small scar along the right side of his face that went with his scars on his arms. He looked tired, more so than a man of his age should.

Mia smiled at the archer. "Okay, here's what I think. One heart means the link that you five share. Which is currently broken, hence separation. So, to get the link back, each of you have to realize what the significance of the link means. Blue-haired one obviously means you, Rowen, hold the key to reestablishing the link. Now the problem I am having is the love issue. Do you know what unknown love it could be talking about?"

Rowen looked startled at the question but instead of answering it, he glanced behind Mia as if to assure himself that Sage was indeed still behind her. Turning back to the woman in front of him he could see why Ryo was in love with her, but for him there was only one person. One person he had not told and now may never get the chance.

Mia sighed softly when Rowen did not answer her, but instead looked quickly over her shoulder and then back to Mia. Had Mia not been watching his face, she would have missed the telltale sign. For over her shoulder lay the prone figure of Sage. The one Rowen had been holding onto when she first found him in the temple five years earlier. She smiled to herself, knowing she was right.

Rowen headed over to the stone pyre where Sage rested. Sitting down besides the blonde, he pulled the unresisting figure onto his lap and gently ran his fingers through the blonde locks. Forgetting he had an audience, he bent forward letting his bangs cover his face as he began to cry once again. "Oh Sage, why did you have to leave me? I love you, you fool." A few tears splattered over Sage's porcelain skin. Rowen reached up with his thumb to brush them away and in doing so, his face came ever so close to Sage's. Rowen gave in to temptation and started to kiss the fey beauty in front of him. He never noticed the glow that suddenly sprang up around him nor did he notice that Sage was no longer frozen. He only noticed that something was different, when he felt the lips beneath his begin to kiss him back with as much fervor as he felt.

Mia who still sat on Ryo's pyre gasped when she saw the bluish green glow encircle the two men across the room from her. 'Hmmm. Well this is new. Perhaps Rowen has finally figured out what was needed.'

Sage opened his eyes to find Rowen crying above him. Reaching up a hand, he gently brushed the tears from his love's face. Rowen jerked back in surprise, he had thought he was dreaming again. "Ro . . . Rowen why didn't you tell me?"

Whatever he had been expecting Sage to say, it was most definitely not that. "I . . . ummm . . . well, you see. I didn't want to get hurt by you and I especially did not want to lose my friend. My confidant." Rowen blushed as he looked away from the swordsman.

Sage thought that bit of news over for a minute, before reaching up to pull the archer's lips back down to his. He sighed as Rowen's lips met his, his tongue warring for dominance with the other man's. Sage finally pulled back, breathless. It was then that he noticed the pale slash marks on Rowen's wrists. Holding the wrists gently, he peered up into midnight blue eyes, his violet ones searching for an answer. "Ro'? What happened?"

Rowen looked down at his bared wrists, his shirt sleeves having been moved up his arms enough to show the scars. "It's nothing Sage. Nothing that matters, now that you are back." Rowen hastily pulled his long sleeved shirt back down to cover the marks, hoping Sage would let it drop. He should have known better.

"Damn it Rowen!! Tell me what the HELL happened to you!! Why do you look so much more different than you should? You look more haggard and tired than you did a few hours ago."

Rowen blinked down at the boy in his arms and remembered, but Sage apparently has no idea what has been going on for the last five years. "Sage, you uh have been in here for five years." Rowen said quietly.

"WHAT?!!!"

"It's true Sage." A softer almost melodic voice stated from across the room.

Sage tried to get up but his legs wouldn't support him. He started to fall forward when Rowen's arms encircled his waist and held him steady. Sage glanced briefly up at the archer in thanks. Turning to the other voice he heard, he called softly, "Mia?"

As Mia stepped into view, Sage's jaw dropped. She was no longer the girl he had known. Standing before him was a beauty. She was tall, slender and held herself with confidence, but two things stood out to Sage as he stared at her. The length of her auburn locks and the deep-seated pain that he could see reflected in her blue eyes. Mia's hair almost brushed the floor of the temple, it was that long. She was wearing it unbound so that it cascaded over her shoulders. She smiled sadly at the boy before her.

"Sage, you and the others have been in here for five long years, yet you four did not age. Rowen and I, however, did. We were not supposed to but . . . for some reason we did." Sage could see the tears she was desperately trying to hide.

"Mia?" he asked tentatively.

Mia simply gestured to the three remaining pyres. Sage's had disappeared the moment he stood from it. Ryo, Kento and Cye had yet to move. Mia was glad that Rowen would not feel so alone, but their time was almost up. Only two more hours remained before the temple once again kicked them out.

Rowen's eyes widened in acknowledgment. According to the riddle, the unknown love would set the others free but so far nothing had happened. The other three still remained motionless. "Damn it!! Why isn't it working?"

"Why isn't what working?"

"Sage, identifying our love and making it known should have broken the spell on the others, but it hasn't! So, what else is left?"

Sage looked thoughtfully at the archer and then grinned mischievously. Rowen should have known then that the other man had something up his sleeve. Sage grabbed the other man about the waist and swung him down to the floor. Glancing up at Mia, he asked coyly, "Hey Mia, would you mind?"

Mia blushed profusely at Sage's words before glancing at her watch. They had an hour and a half still. "Okay, I will be just outside and I will be back in an hour. Rowen, remember we only have an hour and a half before the temple seals itself again."

"Sure, Mia. I'll remember."

Mia smiled at the two boys before turning to Ryo. Bending slightly, she kissed him on the lips before disappearing into the moonlight. She leaned against the open doorway, loathe to go too far, even though she knew exactly what Sage had in mind.

Rowen was pinned beneath Sage's weight. His hands were held hostage above his head by Sage's left hand. Sage grinned predator-like down at the blue-haired boy. "Sa-Sage?" Rowen asked cautiously.

"Yeah Rowen?" came the soft question as Sage's lips met Rowen's in a faint butterfly kiss. Rowen groaned into the kiss, all of his sexual frustration coming to the fore. Sage smiled inwardly, he could feel the tension in the archer's muscles. "Relax Rowen. You're going to enjoy this. I promise."

Rowen slowly relaxed as Sage rolled him onto his stomach and began kneading the tight muscles. Not too hard and not too soft, Sage applied just the right amount of pressure to work out the kinks that had knotted up all over Rowen's body.

"Does that feel good, Rowen?" A muffled response was all he received. Sage grinned as he nipped lightly at Rowen's ear. "Come love, let's play."

Rowen rolled over onto his back and peered up into the violet eyes staring down at him. "Play, hmmm this should be interesting." Rowen reached up and pulled the swordsman flush against his body.

Sage grinned as the other man started to undress him. First his shirt disappeared and then his tan slacks were gone as well as his boxers. Sage nuzzled Rowen's cheek and sighed happily as he was rolled onto his back. Reaching up, Sage grabbed Rowen's long sleeved shirt and tugged it up out of his jeans. The shirt soon joined Sage's pile of clothing. Grinning ferally, Sage ran his hand down the side of Rowen's cheek and then down his love's side. Pausing at the snap on Rowen's jeans, Sage looked up at the archer, a question in his eyes.

Rowen could see the unspoken question highlighted in Sage's violet eyes. Nodding his head, he sucked in a sharp breath as Sage's nimble fingers unbuttoned his jeans. Rowen groaned as his member spilled out into Sage's hand.

Sage smiled at the archer's breathy groan. Continuing his exploration, he pushed Rowen's jeans and blue boxers off in one smooth movement. Both men were now perfectly highlighted in the low torchlight of the temple. Sage pulled the archer down to him for a gentle kiss, trapping Rowen's sex between them. Sitting up, Sage began to gently pump Rowen's sex in his hand.

Rowen threw his head back in ecstasy. He never imagined that Sage's touch would feel so good. He felt like he was about to burst, so intense were his emotions. Groaning, he tried to tell Sage that he was going to come when the words were stolen from his throat as he felt Sage's lips enclose his member. Arching up into the moist heat, Rowen felt himself climax relentlessly into that wonderful mouth.

Sage smiled to himself as he felt Rowen's muscles contracting; he knew the archer was close. One more little push should send him straight over the edge and Sage was happy to oblige. Bending forward, he took Rowen's throbbing member into his mouth and gently began sucking on it, much like one would with a lollipop. In a moment, he felt the first drops of Rowen's essence enter his mouth and Sage eagerly licked up every last drop that was Rowen. Moving up from Rowen's member, Sage kissed the archer soundly letting Rowen have a taste of himself on the swordsman's lips.

Rowen moaned when Sage moved up his body. He desperately wanted to be buried deep inside of Sage's heat and he intended to have it that way. Soon as Sage kissed him, Rowen flipped the swordsman under him and began to kiss a trail down Sage's back.

Sage grunted in surprise as he was flipped onto his stomach with Rowen leaning over him, but relaxed when he felt feather like kisses trailing a hot path of desire down his back. Sage only stiffened slightly when he felt one of Rowen's fingers press inside of him, but was soon writhing with need as Rowen's adept fingers continued to spread him wide. Groaning, he bucked up into the touch, needing more, much more.

Rowen smiled in triumph when he felt Sage's need increasing. Looking down at himself he found he was once again hard and dying to be inside of Sage. Removing his fingers, he grinned when he heard a soft protest come from Sage's beautiful lips only to be replaced by a gasp as Rowen gently pushed inside of his love. Holding himself still for a moment, he let Sage adjust to his length, not wanting to hurt the blonde any more than he had too.

Sage bit his lip in order to stifle a brief cry of pain as Rowen penetrated his core. But after a minute, the pain eased into a warm feeling. Pushing backwards, experimentally, Sage was gratified to hear Rowen moan.

Rowen took Sage's first experimental movement as a sign and an ageless dance began. Reaching around, he took Sage's member in his hand and began to return the earlier favor as he thrust into the warm heat that was Sage. The pace had been set even before the two came together. Their coupling was fast and hard, each expressing their need the only way they knew how, and as explosions rocked both of their cores the two lovers were basked in a glow of light so brilliantly white that it temporarily blinded them. Rowen jerked away, shielding his eyes and when he reopened them, he realized that he was no longer in the Temple nor was he alone.

Looking around, he saw three of his four friends laughing and joking as they stood just outside the entrance to the Temple. The fourth was looking straight at Rowen, a slightly confused expression on his face as he looked between the archer and the Temple entrance. Rowen glanced down at his arms and realized that he was wearing the same clothes he had been wearing the day they entered the Temple, but that wasn't what made his eyes grow huge and unfocused. Feeling himself falling forward, he tumbled into darkness as he realized that his arms were free of the slash marks that had marred them for the last two years.

Opening his eyes, he found himself floating in a pale blue mist. A slight figure stood in front of him. Rowen approached the figure cautiously and was startled when he came face to face with himself. Albeit a slightly older version of himself but it was he, nevertheless.

"Hello Rowen," the figure said softly.

"Hi."

"I guess you are wondering what is going on?"

Rowen nodded his head. "Yeah, an explanation would be nice."

"Haven't changed, I see. Tsk tsk. Hasn't this experience taught you anything?"

Rowen stood thoughtfully for a moment. "It taught me to never deny what I am feeling, because to keep my feelings to myself, will only hurt those I love the most."

"Very good, Rowen. But I think you have learned something else as well."

Rowen raised an eyebrow quizzically at his older twin.

"Or perhaps not," Rowen's twin sighed, "Let your emotions guide you. You, Rowen, tend to overanalyze things. The last five years was to teach you that you need to live in the moment and not think about what the future holds. No one knows what is going to happen to them from one day to the next and you must live your life to the fullest. Don't hide from your emotions . . ." Rowen's twin broke off as Rowen's own voice joined his.

"But embrace them for they will lead you out of your darkest hour." Rowen stood shocked as the truth set in. He had been thinking too much about things but when he simply let his feelings for Sage come to the fore, he went with the moment not even caring that they made love on a lonely Temple floor. Raising his eyes up to his twin, he smiled, "I understand now."

His twin smiled as he started to fade from view. "Good, don't forget what you have learned here Strata. You will need it again."

Panicked, Rowen yelled "WAIT!!!"

The form solidified once more and looked curiously at the archer. "Yes?"

"Did what happen truly happen or was it my imagination?"

The figure smiled. "If what you mean by that, is did you truly make love to Sage? Then I think you know the answer to that. Look into your heart, Rowen. You will find your answer there." The figure then vanished into the mists and Rowen smiled warmly. He knew for a fact that it did happen, and he bet Sage remembered it too. Feeling oddly light, he looked down to see himself floating upwards toward a golden light. A voice penetrated the fog that was his brain and his smile became larger. It was Sage calling to him and it was time to go back. Opening his midnight blue eyes, cautiously, he was rewarded with a swift hug by his love. "Sage?" he asked softly, his voice muffled because Sage was hugging him so tightly.

Sage finally released the blue-haired archer from his death grip and admonished the archer. "How many times do I have to tell you that you need to eat breakfast before you leave in the morning? You know your sugar levels get all messed up when you don't eat. I was so worried about you . . ." Sage trailed off as he realized that he was rambling, but he had become alarmed when he saw Rowen falling forward. He cradled the archer in his arms, inexplicably concerned over the younger boy, and was immensely relieved when he felt Rowen begin to stir in his arms. Looking back down at the now awake archer, Sage had the overwhelming desire to kiss those soft lips that were a mere inch from his own. But he held back in fear of rejection.

Good thing for him that Rowen no longer had any inhibitions when it came to Sage. The archer closed the distance between them and kissed Sage squarely on the lips, his tongue warring for dominance in the other's mouth.

Sage sighed as he leaned into the kiss, memories flooding his mind as the kiss deepened, of the two of them making love in the temple that stood afore them. Pulling apart, he grinned down at the angel in his arms before looking up at the others.

Ryo had an amused expression on his face while Kento and Cye looked knowingly at each other before softly kissing one another, as well.

"Well, I believe it is about time you two admitted your feelings. We were beginning to get tired of feeling your sexual tension through the link," Ryo grinned mischievously, knowing full well what the two on the ground were going to do. He was not disappointed as Sage and Rowen jumped to their feet and began chasing him around the forest. Reaching a small clearing, he felt himself falling forward as Sage tackled him from behind. Twisting in the blonde's grip, Ryo was rewarded with a small kiss from the other swordsman before Rowen pulled him to his feet.

"Come on guys. Let's get out of here."

Ryo looked confused for a minute before saying, "But, what about the temple? Aren't we going to go in?"

Rowen and Sage looked at each other and exclaimed at the same time. "NO!!!!"

Ryo looked at them oddly and they blushed at their leader's innocent look.

"Look, Ryo. I simply changed my mind about the temple. I no longer need to seek a treasure, for I have already found my treasure. It was always right in front of my face. You guys are my treasure." Rowen smiled at his companions as they headed back to the car and into a future that was uncertain. Rowen knew that as long as he lived his life to his fullest, then no matter what the future held, he would be prepared to face it, especially with his friends by his side.

The entity that inhabited the temple smiled as the five teenagers packed up their stuff and headed away from the temple. Shaking its head, it turned and pressed a hidden panel along the wall of the temple, causing the temple to shimmer in the sunlight. Any who may have seen the temple there, simply thought it had been an illusion for the temple vanished as if it were never there. Reappearing in the outskirts of yet another town, the disappearing temple waited patiently for its next set of uncertain lovers.

Rowen glanced back at the temple just as it vanished and smiling, he snuggled closer to Sage's side and was soon fast asleep with his head resting on Sage's shoulder.