Burning Love

Ryo stared at the auburn haired woman from where he sat on the couch. She was sewing a hole in Yulie's jeans. The kid had ripped while playing with White Blaze earlier that day. Mia. She was so thoughtful, so gentle. She was the one who had brought them together, he and the other Ronin Warriors. If not for her, they would have utterly lost to Talpa.

Ryo's mind swam with things. During the past year he felt closer to her than to anyone else. His parents had died when he was young, he had no brothers or sisters, and no other known family members. But he considered the friends he had, Rowen, Cye, Kento, Sage, Yulie, and White Blaze family. But Mia. For some reason he couldn't see her as a sister, or an even an aunt for that matter. No, it was more than that. Something he couldn't quite place. He pondered over it. Could it be love?

He stared at her. She was graceful, even when sewing. She had a certain spunk that he had admired, and he felt himself growing closer and closer to her. He blinked. What was this? Could he love her? Could he be in love with her?

Mia glanced up. For a long time she had felt Ryo watching her. "Ryo, is something wrong?" she asked.

"Nani? Um, no, Mia. I was just thinking." He quickly stood up. "I'll think I'll go outside." He grabbed a notebook and a pen and left before Mia could say anything to him. He sat on the banister and let out a sigh as he held his notebook in his lap. He looked across the yard and smiled at Kento, Rowen, Sage, Yulie, and White Blaze playing football. He opened his notebook and began to write:

When I first saw you, I already knew

that my love was for you. A hidden desire

burning with fire. All I ever wanted was you.

How can I say the words I love you?

I hear your voice. It whispers sweet words

in my ears. I don't want you to leave.

I want you here with me. I'm burning with

love, learning just how wonderful that can be.

Don't you know I need you? I want to hold

you in my arms. I love you and always will.

You don't know how much you mean to me.

A burning love, a simple desire, you're setting

me on fire.

Ryo paused in his writing, thinking as he tapped his pen absently against the notebook. He watched as Rowen tackled Kento, while Sage stole the football and made a touchdown.

"Ryo?"

He turned around. "Yeah, Cye?" he asked.

Cye shuffled nervously, and he blushed slightly. "Um, if you don't mind my asking, "What were you writing there? Is it a letter?"

Ryo glanced down at the page he had been writing on. "No, Cye, it wasn't a letter," he answered with a sigh. "It's a poem."

Cye blinked. "You write poetry?" he asked in a state of mild shock. Ryo nodded. "May I read it?" he humbly asked.

Ryo handed the notebook over to him, and Cye sat down on the opposite banister. He started to read the poem. As he read it, his eyes widened. He had no idea that Ryo was quite the poet. This almost sounded like a song. And it was about.... Cye closed the notebook and returned it to its owner.

"Tell her," Cye said to him, and left the porch to join the others in their game.

Ryo blinked in surprise. He looked back toward the house, through the window at Mia. She seemed to be done sewing Yulie's jeans. She looked so beautiful there. He closed his notebook and went inside.

The stereo was softly playing, and the two candles on the mantel were softly glowing. Mia was going through some documents.

She noticed that he was watching her. "Ryo, do you need something?" she asked.

He swallowed. How could he tell her when he was so nervous! Oh, sure he could beat Talpa, but he couldn't tell the woman of his dreams how he felt!

"What are you doing, Mia?" he asked. Boy, what a way to start a conversation. He mentally smacked himself.

"Oh, it's something about your armors that's all. Nothing big nor new. What's with the notebook?" she asked.

"This? Oh, it's nothing. I just write stuff down that's all." He seriously hoped his face wouldn't start turning red.

"Stuff about what?"

"Um. Poetry."

Mia raised her eyebrows. "You're a poet?" she asked.

"Today, at least," he answered.

"May I read them?"

"Well, there's only one, but why not?" He handed the notebook to her and again swallowed nervously. How would she react to this? His heart pounded against his chest like a giant walking down the stairs.

Mia glanced up at him from the poem. "This is beautiful, Ryo," she said, handing him his notebook. "Who's it about?"

Ryo laid the notebook on the table. "Mia," he said, swallowing again, "I... I'm not going to lie to you. That poem was about you. Over the past year, I've been falling in love with you. You're kind, gentle. You put others first before yourself, and you worked hard to bring us all together. Without you, none of us would be here, and I..." he paused as he looked out the window toward the others... "wouldn't have found a family again. I love you, Mia Jane Koji, and I always will."

Ryo shut up, casting his eyes downward. There he had said it. His heart was pounding even more so. Now he was afraid of how she was going to take it.

Mia stared in shock at him. She knew all of them loved her, and she loved them, but not one of them had said that he was in love with her. And she loved them all as if they were her younger brothers. But Ryo....

She stood up, so they were faced to face. "You know something, Ryo Matthew Sanada, that was the best thing anyone has ever done for me. You've given me a gift, a gift of love. Now it is my turn. I love you too." She gently placed her lips upon his.

Ryo was surprised, and he almost staggered. But then he stopped, and drew her close to him as he kissed her back. He held her close, and then began to dance with her.

Outside, the others were peering through the window. All of them had smiles on their faces. "Way to go, Ryo!" Rowen whispered, smiling, before he turned away.

"About time!" Kento muttered with a goofy grin before he left, following behind Rowen.

Sage just smiled and nodded his approval before he too left, making Yulie and White Blaze go with him.

Cye stared through the window at the dancing couple. He had a huge smile on his face. "You did it, Ryo. After all this time, you've finally done it, and now she's yours just like you've always dreamed of. Congratulations, Wildfire." He turned away from the window and rejoined the others in their game of football.

Inside, Ryo held Mia close as they danced. This is what he had dreamt of. And he was never going to let her go. He would be there for her always. Together they danced the night away, while his heart burned with love for her.