I am so sorry; I had to fix this chapter because it suddenly included all of this coding in it. Enjoy.

It was a cold winter morning, greeting the Samurai Rangers with specks of white snow sticking to the freezing glass of the windows. Each individual ranger woke up slowly, being sure to savor the time each had before the actual day began. Thankfully, the rooms were heated thanks to Ji finally calling to fix the vents, and the warmth provided a sense of comfort that the temperature outside could not match.

The smell of rich chocolate wavered through the air, attracting the team members to the dimly-lit kitchen where Ji was preparing hot chocolate, a wonderful tradition courtesy of Emily's sister visiting the rangers during the fall season after her health had improved. Nowadays, family didn't visit as much, but that didn't mean the group couldn't be a family themselves.

"Good morning, Ji. Need some help?" Mia asked.

"Good morning, Mia. Erm, no, don't worry; you don't need to cook anything. I'm almost done making this, but you could help me bring this to the others' rooms. Especially the boys. You know how they are, staying in even after noon," Ji chuckled.
Everything was calm, quiet. Peace was a long-wanted necessity, especially from rangers destined to destroy monsters from a different planet. The concept itself was nearly incomprehensible. Nevertheless, the calm was welcoming, and the family in the Shiba House only was brought closer by the thought of keeping that peace constant.

"Hey Ji, Mia," Kevin walked in. "I smell hot cocoa. Can I have some?"

"Not yet, Kevin. Go take a shower first, and you can have some," Ji said.

Mia smiled, mouthing a sorry to Kevin before asking, "I thought we're going to wake them up and give this?"

"Kevin is annoying me lately, so I'm making him a special exception."

The rest of team was starting to rise, marked by the sound of argument from the boys' rooms, and she knew it was time to bring the warm drink.

"Hey guys; here's a little treat. Ji says to brush your teeth first because that's nasty."

Antonio, Mike, and Jayden looked up from their small wrestling session and one-by-one gave a wide grin, and Mia couldn't help but giggle at how hilarious they were. Goodness, she loved the boys so much. One of them, though, she loved in a different way.

-flashback-

The feelings had started the first night of October, when the air was crisp and marked by a slight chill.

The team had defeated Dayu for the umpteenth time, and the hurtful words had started to creep on Mia. She sat down outside, immediately regretting the fact that she should've brought a blanket with her. Everyone else theoretically was already asleep considering the time was inching near midnight.

"Mia?" a deep, sleep-filled voice cut through the silence in the wind.

"Jayden, what're you doing up so late?" Mia asked.

"I could ask you the same, but first, here's a blanket."

No words were exchanged as he wrapped his red duvet around her, his smell of vanilla and musk making her eyes suddenly become heavy with sleep. She rested her head on his shoulder, embracing the silence and drowsiness.

"Today was a rough day for you, huh," Jayden said quietly, trying to ask her a question but instead saying it to himself.

"It was. It hurts," she said.

"I know it does. Just know that we love you. I love you. Okay?"

"Okay," she whispered. The sleep had defeated her and she drifted off into slumber.

Jayden chuckled lowly, scooping her up bridal-style, and took her to her room, leaving her with his duvet. He could always use a different one.

-end flashback-

"Thanks, Mia! You didn't cook this though, right?" Mike asked.

"Don't worry, Mike. I didn't touch this at all."

"How's my favorite girl?" Jayden grinned boyishly and wrapped his arms around her.

"Wait, I'm your sister!" Lauren yelled and pouted. Emily walked in and grinned.

"You too are so cute! Aren't they cute, Mike?"

"Ew, get married for real this time and move out. No one wants to see that!" Mike whined and jumped into the restroom.

Mia, embarrassed, moved away, and Jayden chuckled, walking to the table to pick up a mug of hot chocolate.