It's not everyday you get to join a search party for one of your closest friends, that's for sure, Jayden mused. Waking up to a concerned Emily and an even more concerned Ji was one thing, but being informed that a certain ebony haired companion of his was missing, now that was enough to rattle even him.
Mia hadn't gone to bed last night, Emily had told him, but she assumed she had came and gone simply while she was still sleeping and thought nothing of it. The others, however, also made note of her absence, when she didn't bother to show up for any of her training sessions, nor any of her meals. Why this was worrisome, he didn't know, since he knew very well Mia was hardly irresponsible in any way and could surely take care of herself, but she missed practice.
She never missed practice. Ever.
Training for their ultimate battle, their ultimate destiny, was far too important to Mia to let anything come in between her and becoming a stronger warrior. It was quite out of the ordinary for such a thing to happen, so Jayden made the decision that if Mia hadn't returned before dinner, (something in which she almost always attempted to make) they'd journey out to find her. And so, when the clock stroke 7 and still there was no Mia, that's exactly what they had done.
Antonio and Kevin were sent to search the grounds and try to contact Mia with Ji, Emily and Mike to the city, and Jayden had volunteered to investigate the forest surrounding their dojo. He had been scanning the landscape for hours, much time past nightfall, and was genuinely beginning to worry for the Pink Ranger's safety. As he pushed past branches and leaves, he tried racking his brain of someone who could had abducted Mia between now and yesterday evening, not recalling her leaving the estate after dinner. It didn't make any sense; it was impossible that something could have taken or attacked her while she was still in the dojo, surrounded by her fellow warriors, so be was now at a loss of understanding the possibilities.
As his muscles slowly started to become sore from the hours of hiking and he felt himself grow dehydrated, Jayden leisurely made his way towards the lake of the property, the illumination of the moon dancing across the water. The spring gave off a serene glow, immediately calming him as he bent down near the water, cupping it gently in his hands and splashing it across his heated, sweat-adorned cheeks. Exhaling softly, Jayden started to feel a sense of disappointment at not being able to find his friend by now. Just as he was going to morosely make his way back to the dojo, to face the others with their mutual failure in recovering the fellow ranger, something across the bay had caught Jayden's eye.
Two small flames flickered, equally distanced apart in front of a large oak tree, where he saw a clad of darkness kneeling down in between. It wasn't until he caught himself trying to make out the figure for a few long moments, did Jayden realize the stranger was in fact no stranger at all, but was Mia.
He had to stop himself from calling her name, excited that he had finally found her, when he notice she was kneeling in front of something, something he couldn't make out from where he stood across the lake, and thus decided he had to get closer to her. Jayden quietly began making his way around the body of water, keeping his eyes fixated on her with every other step.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he neared her, his ears picking up on the soft and meek words she muttered when she thought no one else was around. "...The moment you left..." She whimpered, hanging her head. "...My heart was torn in half. One part was filled with pain and despair, but the other...Well, the other died with you..."
Jayden stopped, hiding behind a tree as he watched her still, not wanting to interrupt her. He felt his heart drop when he noticed she was crying, tears silently streaming down her cheeks as she continued to speak to the cool night air. "Sometimes I lie awake at night, when the others are asleep, and I just...I remember that almost every second we spent together, I wasted an opportunity to tell you I loved you." She took in a shaky breath, starting to cry harder, but still so softly, that is was no wonder no one could ever find her alone out here. "Remembering you isn't easy, even if I do it everyday when I put on my helmet. I was so young, and Terry was even younger...that I hardly remember what your voice sounded like anymore, or how your perfume smelled.
"It's so unfair that things had to happen like this, that it's so painful to even think of you. Missing you is something that never goes away, and sometimes I just feel so lost..." She covered her mouth with her hand as her voice gave out, sniffling as she wept. "We're taught to be prepared for anything on the battlefield, but nothing could have prepared me for losing you.
"I wish you were here, but you're not, and I wish you could help me, but you can't," She sobbed, still barely above a whisper. "And I wish I could've had more time with you...I didn't get to know you at all, and it's days like these that I could really use someone to talk to, someone to hold me.
"I miss you, Mom," Mia cried, picking up what Jayden could now see what a picture frame of a beautiful young woman smiling back at her. "I miss you and I don't know what to do, and I don't know why this had to happen...Why we had to be like this...Why we had to be chosen to keep the world safe, when we can't even keep our own family safe."
Tears flowed from her soft and sad eyes as she looked up to the stars, clutching the photo close to her chest as her incense burned and her candles flickered in the wind. "If I could go back...just for a moment...I would have never let you leave to become a Ranger."
. . .
Jayden didn't know what he felt after watching Mia the way he had been, silently, never letting her know what he had witnessed. He wanted so badly to comfort her as she cried, mourning the loss of her mother, but he didn't know if she'd be comfortable with him revealing himself during what was supposed to be a private moment. He ultimately decided against it, and kept himself hidden, even as she gathered her traditional anniversary incense, pedestals, and candles and made her humble way back to the dojo.
He felt a wave of sympathy for her pain, for he had lost his father on the same day she had lost her mother. Each of their respected zwords and positions as rangers had been pasted down to the first born in their family, and I honestly hadn't been much of a choice for either of them when they inherited their destinies. Although he knew Mia adored her duty to not only her teammates, but the world, he knew it could also be a heavy burden to bare, and he couldn't blame her for blaming the rangers for taking away her mother, if that's even how she felt.
He couldn't bring himself to understand this girl as she quietly made her way into the empty house, save for Kevin and Antonio, who had both fallen asleep on the couch after a long day of trying to catch her, and Ji, who couldn't be found at this late hour. She said nothing and did nothing, but carried her belongings into her room and gently put them away. Mia made her way to her bed, pulling the covers down before she remembered she needed to close her bedroom door, and bounded in that direction.
Jayden internally panicked for a short moment, as he had been watching her this whole time, and decided to come to terms with her and reveal himself when he felt a firm hand grab him by his arm. He was pulled around the corner, and his instincts were about to engage when he realized it was Ji, silently holding a finger up to his lips. Jayden flicked back when he heard her door shut, but relaxed that they had gone undetected.
Ji let out a long sigh. "She's come home," He mused, looking him in the eye.
"...Yeah...She has." Was all he could say.
"Do you know where she went?"
"I found her out by the lake, performing a memorial for her mother. It's...their anniversary."
"...O-Oh...I see..." Both of their voices trailed off as they held a mutual respect and sense of empathy for the girl sleeping in the other room. "Well nonetheless, it's good that you've brought her home. She could've been hurt out there all on her own, she knows better than to journey so far from the dojo by herself, especially at a time like this."
"I think she just needed time to herself, just this once. It seems to have really impacted her... Losing a mother doesn't just happen in a moment, it takes years for someone to really realize what's gone." He said aloud, staring at her closed door, wondering if she was still crying just as softly as she had been just minutes before.
"Yes, but losing a father can be no different." Ji insisted. "You may be the only who can relate to her, even remotely, on an emotional level. It was a good thing you were there, Jayden, and it's good that you will be here for her. I feel as though this is something you can connect with Mia on, and further your understanding of your teammates. I also think..."
Jayden knew Ji meant well, he really did, and he also knew his mentor was very wise. His words should not be taken lightly, but he found himself putting his attention towards her door again, thinking to himself of what he had seen tonight. It made him realize that he really knew close to nothing about the real Mia; about her home, her family, her interests, or even her childhood. It was his job as the leader to look out for his fellow rangers, and put their needs before his own, but little did he know that he still had a lot to learn about building a relationship with these people.
And he still had a lot to learn about being a friend to someone, and he made the decision he'd start with Mia.
. . .
She hadn't said anything.
Nothing, about the night before. Jayden was astounded at how she appeared to be her normal self, greeting him and the others with a bright and cheerful smile, delightful as ever. Granted, why would she mention something to anyone when what he saw last night was supposed to be private. He doubted being a good leader, let alone a good friend, included invading your other friend's privacy.
When asked where she had been yesterday and last night, Mia faintly explained that she had run out to get some groceries and missed her train back, so it had taken her much longer than expected to get back home. She apologized for not telling anyone where she had run off to, but she had sincerely believed that she would have returned before breakfast, but time just happened to get away from her. Everyone bought her story of course, because was more innocent and genuine than Mia? Only Jayden knew the truth, and he had no intent on catching her in her lie in front of their teammates. After all, if he going to start being a friend to her, he would have to start protecting her, and not just on the battlefield.
When he saw her make her outside for Kendo training before any of the others had, Jayden concluded that this was the time to speak with her, perhaps about what had happened last night. He didn't want to come off as thought he was ambushing her, however, so he needed to be very careful about what he said and just exactly how he said it.
She was fierce with a sword, he noted, as she went through her routines like any other day. He admired her technique, and the way her eyes danced with determination as she attacked an invisible enemy. He could really learn to applaud and appreciate her, he realized, and more than just on a colleague's level. Mia was a special girl, a sweet one, and she deserved to feel comfortable in her own home.
"Your delivery has improved," He declared, finally revealing himself in a smooth and low-key manner. "You continue to show promise, as always."
She smiled that smile that could easily illuminate a dimly lighted room, and Jayden suddenly felt warm inside. She had that effect on people; Mia just makes you feel so special when you speak to her, and it entices to want to soak up her loving spirit even more. "Thanks, Jayden. You're getting better too. Not that you need my approval, you've always been talented."
He chuckled, returning her smile as he bounded closer to her, leaning against one of the Kendo dummies. He watched as she turned back away from him and continued her session; another thing he admired about her. Her relentless focus on her priorities. "Has anyone ever told you, you look just like your mother?"
He got her there.
Mia froze instantly, still turned away from him, but he could already predict her expression. "What..." She cleared her throat. "What makes you say that?"
He shrugged, casually circling around her idle frame. "Just an observation. There was a picture of her of my father's, and you two resemble each other immensely. From what he told me, people loved your mother. She was a blessing to everyone she came across. Ayame, wasn't it?"
Jayden saw her jaw clench when he uttered her name.
"I think she accomplished something far better than being a ranger, because she touched hundreds of hearts along the way. That's a trait you possess, as well, Mia."
He couldn't tell if his words were touching her, or causing her pain, for her expression was still unreadable.
"...You saw...Didn't you?"
Jayden only nodded knowing what she was referring to. "I understand that yesterday was the anniversary of Ayame's death, and I by no means meant to intrude, but we were worried about you. I just happened to be the one to find you first."
"I...I understand," She said in a calm voice, taking a seat on a near by bench. She kept her eyes off of him, in fear that they'd give her away, and instead continued to stare at the ground. "I don't blame you for anything, Jayden. It was my mistake to run off on my own without telling anyone. I just sorry for worrying everyone..."
"Don't be," He said to her, swiftly taking a close seat next to her. "You're very noble for not wanting to burden everyone, but you don't have to feel ashamed of your past. Believe me, it's much easier to be open with your teammates. I really admire the way you're handling this; this kind of challenge isn't one you can defeat with a swing of a sword. I really admire you, Mia."
Was that too much? He wouldn't know. Because all other thoughts running through his head were forgotten when she had wrapped her gentle arms around him, hugging him softly. He hesitated at first, caught off guard by her sudden display of affection, but soon found himself scooping her up in his strong, muscular arm and returned her embrace. "Thank you, Jayden." She whispered into his ear, a sweet smile playing on her lips.
"For what?" He mumbled into her hair, still holding onto her tightly, but not fully understanding.
"For being my friend."
. . .
A/N: That turned out a lot more platonic that I planned...and I'm not sure if I like it or not. After all, I was hardcore JaydenxMia shipper back in the day.
My, my, how times have changed. I originally wrote Memories almost six years ago. Six years. How crazy is that? I must say, I really do miss the old gang from Power Rangers Samurai, which was by far my favorite of the series as a kid, so it was a blast from the past rewriting this little drabble. It's also important to remember that it has been six years, so I remember close to nothing about The Samurai Universe, and I apologize if I made any mistakes. I tried to mention the least amount of aspects of their world as I could, so that's why it may appear to be a bit OOC for the character.
I was honestly just going to leave it the way it was, but I was literally cringing at every word, astounded at how 12 year old me seriously wrote back then. Granted, I was 12, but now grown up me has a much better writing style regardless of how hard it was to amp up this fic. (Which truthfully didn't have much to amp up in the first place) It might have been a bit rough, but thank you guys for sticking with me after all this time!
~Sukigirl17