Disclaimer:  I do not own any of the Ronin Warriors characters but I wish I did. 

 

Ryo Sanada

By

Cold-Fire (zorra)

Part 1

The first week after the Ronin Warriors had defeated Tulpa they decided to split up and returned to their families for a short time but by the end of the summer they were once again living with Mia on the outskirts of Toyama.  Now the boys attended the local high school together and saw Yuli on weekly bases.  The boys were doing great enjoying their normal lives and not having to fight the Dynasty.  But now it was the Christmas holiday and everyone was returning to their homes to be with there families.  Rowen was going to be spending Christmas in Tokyo with his mom and new years on a business trip to Zama with his dad.   Cye and Kento were leaving the next day to China Town to stay with Kento’s family and help out with the restraint.  Sage was going to spend time with his grandfather and Mia was leaving town to see some cosines that she’d not seen since before her grandfather died.            

The final bell rung and the students rushed madly out of the classrooms.  Filling the halls with the sound of slippered feet.  Kento and Cye stepped into the hall and made their way to their lockers, talking about their trip in the morning.  Cye had offered to let Ryo come stay with him and Kento but Ryo had refused saying, “I’m not used to celebrating this holiday.  I’d only feel awkward and out of place.  You go Cye and keep Kento out of trouble.  I’ll be fine.  Me and White Blaze have a place we go every year.”  With that Ryo had walked away and Cye didn’t mention the trip to him again.  Cye knew that Ryo was used to spending this holiday alone but he still felt bad that Ryo didn’t have any family to share it with.

Cye and Kento ran into Sage as they left the school building. The three made there way to the front gate were they found Ryo the Rowen waiting for them. Rowen was telling Ryo about a discovery he’d made in Cemetery class earlier that day.  And Ryo was half listening as he leaned against the stonewall with one foot pressed up against it.  He stood up strait when he saw the others approaching and waved.  Rowen turned to see who he was waving at.  “Hi guys.  Ready for vacation?”  Sage asked the group. 

“Personally I think they’re giving us to long a break” complained Rowen.  Sage rolled his eyes.

“Come on Rowen,” Whined Kento, “It’s a chance to relax, have fun, see are families,” he trailed off as he caught a look of sorrow flash on Ryo’s face.  But Ryo quickly covered it up with a fake smile.

They made there way across a small parking lot where Sages’ car waited.  Ryo climbed into the front set next to Sage.  While the others piled into the back.  “Well…Rowen is a genius.  And we all know what happens to geniuses if they go to long with out studying?” He paused.  “They lose their minds and start talking backwards in rhymes.”  Ryo teased.  The others laughed.  

Rowen made a hurt puppy dogface as Sage, Cye, and Kento laughed at him.  “Come on guys,” pleaded Rowen, “It wasn’t that funny.”  The others continued to laugh.

In the front set, Ryo leaned against the door and closed his eyes.  “Ryo?” a quite voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Huh?” Opening his eyes to look at Sage.

“Are you okay?”  Sage asked carefully.  He knew Ryo didn’t like it when they worried about him and he didn’t want to spark up Ryo’s temper.  Something bad always seemed to happen when Ryo got angry.  Not that it was Ryo’s fault exactly. He just had a short fuse, when he’s upset he goes rushing into things half cocked and gets into trouble.

“I’m fine.” He said.  As he notice the sidelong look Sage was giving him, Ryo quickly added, “I’ve just got a bit of a headache that’s all.”  Sage nodded understanding, and let the subject drop.  The backset had quieted down and silence filled the car.  No one spook again until they reached the house.

 After dinner that night Mia and Cye cleaned the dishes while the others went into the living room.  Rowen turned on the TV and switched over to the news.   “Looks like it’s going to be a good day tomorrow perfect for traveling.”  Latter Mia gave Sage the house key and left.  She was going to catch a late train and be at her cousins by morning.  Ryo stood silently in the doorway watching her as she climbed into the back of a cab.  He had told her Good-Bye and had given her a light kiss on the lips.  He still wasn’t really good at showing his fillings for Mia around the guys.  He turned to go back in, throwing one last glance at Mia.  

The next morning Ryo came down stairs for one last breakfast with his friends before they all left.  He was a little surprised to see Rowen up and fully awake so early in the morning.  Normally, Rowen slept until noon.  Ryo took a set next to Kento at the big dinning table.  Cye came in caring a platter of fresh pancakes and bacon.  He laid it on the table and sat down across from Ryo.  Every one helped themselves to the variety of food that Cye had prepared.  All that is, except Ryo.   He took two pancakes and some bacon, which he was feeding to White Blaze his pet tiger.  Cye stared at Ryo. Ryo’s eyes were blood shot and his face was pale.  He looks like he hasn’t slept all night.  I wonder what’s been bugging him lately? 

Well that’s a stupid question. He scolded himself, knowing full well what was bugging Ryo.  “Ryo?”

“What?” Ryo stopped teasing White Blaze with a peace of meat and looked at Cye.  White Blaze used the moment of distraction to snag the meat from his masters hand. “Hey!”

“Aren’t you hungry?  Did I cook some thing wrong?” Asked Cye.

“No Cye, it’s great.  I’m just not very hungry that’s all.  It’s to early to eat.”

That remark earned a curious raise of the brows from Sage.

 “Oh, okay” Cye said and returned to his own meal.  But we always eat this early Ryo.   

  Ryo hasn’t eaten much the last few days.  It has nothing to do with Cye’s cooking.  I wish he’d tell us what’s wrong sometimes.  It’s not good to keep bottled up like is.  It’s probably got some thing to do with that headache he had yesterday.  Plus all of us leaving today.  Thought Sage. 

An hour latter, the dishes cleaned and put away, Ryo shouldered his backpack and waited out front for his friends.  White Blaze waiting beside him.  Sage was the last one out of the house locking the door with the key Mia had given him. 

“Well, every one ready?”  He said looking around.  The others nodded their heads. “Ryo you sure you don’t want a ride?” asked Sage one last time, he’d spent half an hour trying to talk Ryo into going with one of them but with no luck.  Ryo’s mind was made up. 

“No.  White Blaze and I will be just fine.”  Sage shrugged and unlocked the car door.  Ryo watched as the others climbed into Sage’s car.  Sage was dropping them off at the train station on his way to Tokyo.  After they pulled out of the driveway, Ryo turned to White Blaze.  “Well let’s get going White Blaze.”  The weather was perfect for walking.  Ryo could almost forget it was Christmas…almost.