Angels of the Past 3/? (Ronin Warriors)

[C.G]

Angels of the Past


Part III


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*






Last time....


With the dishes cleaned and dried, Mia decided to try and get some housework done before making a late lunch for the others. Housework was a neverending task. Though the amount of work had greatly decreased when the others had left, there was always something to do. From vacuuming to dusting, cleaning the manor was a task would never be finished.


"Okay, time to get work." And with that, she began on the first task that came to mind. Laundry.






~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sometime Later

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Okay. Laundry, check. Dusting, check. Lunch..." she looked over at the sandwiches she had just prepared for the boys. "Check." Pleased with the fact that her current chores were finished, she decided to take a short break until the boys were done with their game. She was just about to sit down on the couch when her phone began to ring.


*Ring* *Ring*


Sighing, Mia went to answer the phone that had prevented her from taking a break. "Hello, Koji residence, Mia speaking," she greeted her unknown caller.


"Hello, Mia, this is Sage," spoke a voice from the other end.


"Sage? Oh, hi. I didn't expect you to call. Is something wrong?" Unexpected phone calls had a habit of being bearers of bad news at the Koji Manor. One incident that Mia could recall was when Kento's mother had called and had told him that one of his sisters was very sick. Kento immediately went back home to help take care of his little sister. He had stayed there an entire week until she was well. Thankfully, she had recovered.


"No, no? nothing's wrong. I just needed to ask you something."


"What is it?"


"Well, I will be competing in a Kendo tournament later on this week, and I was wonder if you and Yulie would like to come and watch?"


"That sounds like fun! I'll have to ask Yulie. When is it?"


"It starts on Wednesday at ten in the morning, at the Meji Stadium."


"This Wednesday?"


"Yes. Do you need directions to?"


"No, that's all right, I know where it is. It's the outdoor stadium, right?"


"Right. Anyways?" But before Sage could finish his statement, Mia's attention was drawn to another voice that called her name.


"Mia! We're back!" yelled Yulie from the kitchen.


"Hey Mia, where'd ya' go?" asked Ryo, who had entered the kitchen along with Yulie and White Blaze.


"I'm in here!" she called from her position, still holding the phone to her ear.


"Who's that?" Sage's voice came over the phone, renewing her attention to him.


"Oh, that's just Ryo and Yulie."


"Ryo? What's he doing there?"


"He stopped by for a visit."


"Oh..."


"Hey, Mia, who are you talking to?" Ryo, who had just entered the room in search of Mia, asked when he saw her with the phone.


"It's Sage."


"Sage?"


"Yes, do you want to say 'hi'?" Mia thought that it wouldn't hurt for the two friends to say hello again, and she hoped the Sage wouldn't mind if she took a short recess from the phone.


"Sure," he replied, taking the phone away from Mia, as she began to head towards the kitchen to check on Yulie. She heard Ryo greeting Sage cheerfully as the distance between her and the phone increased. She began to wonder how long it had been since any of the warriors had seen or heard from each other. It couldn't have been too long, she thought. The warriors? shared bond only grew stronger as their battles grew harder. They were brothers in arms, all of which were joined by the secret destiny of the armor. Mia herself had grown a little jealous at their unity.


She would often wonder how it felt to know someone so well, to be as close as they were to each other, not only in battle, but in life also. Of course, she knew that they cared for her as much as she did for them, but there would always be the fact that she was older then they were, not to mention female, and wouldn't be able to relate as much to them as Yulie or White Blaze could.


So, instead she became their older sister. Someone they could depend on if they need help or advice. If not more as a sister, then a friend.


She sighed as she entered the kitchen, only to see Yulie already chewing on one of the sandwiches she?d prepared for him and Ryo.


"I see you approve of the sandwich," she said to Yulie, who hadn't even known she was watching him just then.


"Yeah, it's really good," he mumbled through the last bit of the sandwich, and then swallowed.


"Yulie, you know it's impolite to talk with your mouth full," she scolded, stepping over White Blaze, who was at Yulie's side, and taking the vacant seat next to him.


"I'm sorry."


Sighing once more, she started to begin on another topic, "Anyway, how did the game go?"


"It was great! I beat Ryo!" he exclaimed, with pride in his statement.


"Oh you did?"


"He and White Blaze beat me," announced Ryo as he appeared in the kitchen's door way.


"Oh, you're just being a sore loser," Yulie replied.


Ryo didn't say anything, but messed up the younger boy's hair when he got within arms? reach. Then he sat down to his sandwich on Yulie's other side.


"So Mia, why did Sage call?" asked Ryo after finishing the first bit of his sandwich.


"Sage called?" asked Yulie.


"He wanted to ask me something."


"Did he finally ask you out?" Yulie's question caused Mia to blush, and Ryo to gag on his food.


"N-no! He called to invite us to a Kendo tournament that's coming up next week."


"Oh, cool! Can I enter?"


"I think it's too late to enter. Sorry, Yulie."


"Ahh..." he groaned. Mia knew that Yulie may have had a chance if he had entered. He had been training in Kendo for a while now, and had even won a junior championship not so long ago.


"Maybe next time," was all she could say at the moment, "anyway, do you think you can go, Yulie? It's next Wednesday."


"Sure, I don't think we?re doing anything Wednesday. I'll ask my Mom later." His voice was filled with excitement as his words spilled from him. Mia smiled. Even though he had matured from the boy who had clung to her leg during the dark times with Talpa, he still held the innocence he had from the first time she met him.


"That sounds like fun, you guys." Ryo's voice had spoken up in the mist of their conversation, and caused an idea to form in Mia's mind.


"Hey, Ryo, do you want to come too?"


"Huh? I don't know. I'm not even sure where it is?"


"That's all right; I can give you a ride. I was there once for a lecture on samurai armors with my grandfather."


"Are you sure?"


"Yes, of course."


"Alright, I guess I'll go"


"Yay!" Yulie cheered.


"What time will I need to stop by?" asked Ryo, resting his elbow on the table, and his head on top of his fisted hand.


"8:00 a.m. sharp, for both of you."


"8 A.M.?!" they both gasped, shocked.


"Why so early?" Yulie groaned. The idea of waking up so early during a holiday almost changed his mind about going at all.


"Well, one, it will take us a few hours just to get there; and two, the Meji Stadium is an outdoor arena. That means that it's first come, first served for seats. Besides, we should try and get there early so we can wish Sage good luck. Okay?"


"I guess so," Yulie sighed.


"Alright," was all that Ryo said, although he was also not looking forward to the fact that he was suppose to wake up so early.


"All right then. It's a date," she joked giving the two boys a wink, which caused the room to be filled with a familiar laughter.


So the three sat around the kitchen and chatted about their daily lives. Eventually it came time to leave for the night. Instead of Mia performing her weekly task of driving Yulie home after dark, Ryo had offered him a ride home, so when they had finally said their good byes, Mia was once again left alone with White Blaze. She saw the two off, and watched as they disappeared down the vacant road away from her home. The familiar feeling of loneliness crept back into her heart when the two were finally gone. But yet another smile found its way to her face when she remembered that less then a week from now she would see them again, and Sage as well.


"Well, White Blaze," she declared to the white tiger at her side, "might as well get back to work." With that, she turned back towards her house and headed to her study, where she could finish her grading.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


The day of the tournament finally came. It was a peaceful morning, although a little chilly. A few remaining stars were left in the darkened part of the sky, as the sun climbed upward to begin the day. Mia, White Blaze, and Yulie (who had spent the night prior so that he wouldn't be late) waited for late Ryo's arrival, so that they would finally be able to head out and make their way to the tournament.


"Where is he?" Mia growled under her breath while glancing at her wrist watch for the third time in a row. The tiny clock showed her the precious seconds that slipped by, making them later than intended. Eight a.m., she?d told him, eight! Now because of his tardiness, they would lose the opportunity to have good seats. "Wait till I get my hands on him..."


A wasted half hour had already gone by as the trio waited outside in the front lawn. Mia stood close to her red jeep, while Yulie played what looked to be a game of tag with White Blaze, which included his soccer ball. Sighing, she leaned back onto the vibrant surface of her vehicle and watched her teenage friend play with the overgrown cat. Perhaps this distraction would help rid her of the vengeful thoughts she had for Ryo.


Teenager, her young friend had grown up right before her eyes. There were times where she could still recall images of the eight year old boy that would still be clinging behind her, to hide from the evil they encountered. But now the thirteen year old no longer needed her protection, and grew to be the young man any mother, or in this case, older sister, would be proud of.


It was almost painful for Mia to watch her friend finally maturing into adulthood. This meant that like the other five she had come to love, he would eventually leave her as well.


Mia let a soft chuckle out when she realized she was thinking thoughts she shouldn't be having until the time she mothered children herself. 'Koji, you?re getting old' she thought.


It was amazing to recall the events that had taken place in their lives. Fighting, sacrificing, pain, and not only that, but the pure emptiness that comes with war. A horrible feeling that grows from the fear and unknown predicaments which the songs of battle foretell. Even though Mia herself had never been directly apart of the fighting, she still felt the pain that others had gone though, even more so since the whole time they fought, there was nothing she could do to help. But she knew she had to be strong for the others, and never let it show to anyone. She stood on her own, never needing to be held or comforted. That was how she dealt with the dark times, all of them.


To dwell upon the past can be so depressing. Thankfully, the jade-eyed young woman?s attention was caught once more by her playful companions when Yulie had gave a loud shout to her.


"Mia, HELP!" At that moment, the tables had turned in their game, and now White Blaze was in pursuit of Yulie, following closely at his heels. This caused Mia to laugh. Oh, what fun those two seemed to be having. Mia had no intention of saying anything, but then noticed the direction the Yulie was running, lead to a large mud puddle.


"Yulie, watch where your're going, there's a.....," her voice faulted when her head started to spin. Her sight swirl as her sudden dizzy spell brought her down to her knees. 'What's going on?' she thought, pressing a hand on her forehead to gain some stability.


"Mia! Mia, are you all right?!" Before she even realized it happening, she found Yulie kneeling at her side. White Blaze was there as well, licking her face gently in an effort to help.


"Mia?" She looked up to meet the younger boy's eyes, finding them too wide and full of worry. She felt her heart swell with warmth for the love she had for him, seeing him so concerned for her well being.


To calm his tense expression, she gave him a small smile, "I'm fine, Yulie, just a dizzy spell, that's all. Nothing to get so upset about." To prove that she was truly all right, she stood up, keeping one hand on her jeep for balance. Mia had no idea where that dizzy spell came from. She had eaten this morning, and had a good night's rest so it couldn't have been from fatigue, and it was still too early for her menstrual cycle to start up. Stress, maybe.


"Are you sure? Do you want me to run inside and?"


"That's all right, Yulie. Look, I'm fine, nothing serious!" Still looking too concerned over the little matter, as Mia put it, she patted him on the head, then ruffled it, causing him to squirm and duck under her hand to escape having his hair messed up.


"Hey, no fair!" he cried, then they both began to laugh.


Before any more of the incident could be examined, though, the sound of a roaring motor caught their attention. And it was growing louder.


Both turned to see a familiar black and red motor cycle climbing up the hill, towards the Koji estate. Once the bike made its way past them and parked in the near by grass, the driver immediatly hopped off the bike's seat and removed his helmet to reveal...


"Ryo, where have you?"


"Mia, I?m SOOO sorry I'm late!! I had to work a double shift last night, and my roommate forgot to set the alarm and, and?"


"Okay, you?re forgiven, let's get going before we're later then we already are." Mia was already half way in her jeep.


"Right!"


Once everyone was in and buckled up, Mia started up the jeep, and was ready to hit the road.


"Keep an eye on the house, White Blaze, we'll be back around dark. Meji Stadium, here we come!" And they were off.


White Blaze watched the small car speed away, headed for a day of fun without him. It was hard being a tiger. Sadly, the big white kitty gave a shrug and headed for the house to have a nap in his favorite spot.


Funny thing was, though, White Blaze was not the only one to watched them off. There was another who remained in the shadows watching the small group depart, but unlike White Blaze... he followed.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


C.G: And so we have another chapter of this very boring story.


Kento: You can say that again! Where?s the action, and where the heck am I for that matter??


C.G: Oh, you?re coming, but you'll have to wait till after the tournament.


Kento: ?After?? Aren't I in it too?!


C.G: ---.--- No, it's a Kendo tournament, after all.


Kento: Hey, that's not fair!


C.G: Oh, quit your whining or I'll make you kiss White Blaze.


Kento: You wouldn't!


C.G: Watch me.


Kento: *fumes* Ooooh, I'm gonna get something to eat. *stomps away*


C.G: Anyways, I don't own Ronin Warriors?


Kento: AND THANK KAMI-SAMA SHE DOSEN'T!


*a crowbar hits him in the head* OW!!!


C.G: as I was saying, I don't own them, and I would like to thank Max, and TrinitySaysMeep for betaing this for me. *grumbles* Evil COMP..


C.G: Til later.

[Eienvine]

Another great chapter! I'm excited to find out who this mysterious stranger who's following them around is. Update soon!

[C.G]

My only fan *sigh* thanks Eienvine

[Eienvine]

I'm sure that's just because this is primarily a GW site, and this story is the only RW fic I've ever seen up here (I say ever as though I have some kind of longevity here). I'd suggest you post on Amanda Swiftgold's Ronin Warriors site, but lately she's been VERY slow with updates. Well, I'm enjoying it, anyway, and I'm important, right? I say, keep up the good work.

[GundamVixen]

This is really good!! I like it! and I want more!! Will UPDATE Please?

[ice princess]

Actually, I'm quite taken with this fic! Ronin Warriors was the first anime I found on cable television around the age of 14, so there's a special place in my heart for this series. I haven't read a good RW fanfic in eons. This story is definitely intriguing. I'm anxious to learn about the shadowy figure and what connection he has to Mia, especially her dream/memory/big-ball-of-unexplained-energy trauma. Not to mention if any of the Ronins are interested in our Ms. Koji in ways surpassing friendship *cough, cough*. If so, I honestly don't know who I'd like to see her with. Anyhoo, that's why you're the authoress! I'll just happily sit back for the thrilling ride! Please keep it up!