AN: A bit of a break from my other Power Ranger story, "Dual Samurais." If you haven't read it yet, please give it a chance. This plot bunny took hold of me, and just wouldn't leave me alone. Chances are that if I ever get around to it, I will probably rewrite this at some point. Leave a review! I would really appreciate it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Power Rangers. This is for fun, not money. Enjoy!
It had been a few months since the samurai rangers all split up and went about their normal lives. The fact that Master Xandred was no longer something to worry about had a different effect on each of the rangers. Lauren and Jayden, who had never really lived, were finally going on adventures and experiencing things they had never been freely able to do before. Not only that, but they were also slowly, but surely, rebuilding their sibling relationship after being apart for so long. Mia couldn't be happier for them, because if anyone deserved a second chance at life, the Shiba siblings definitely tied for the award. She was also happy for Kevin, who was able to go back to training for the summer Olympic Games, and Antonio, who had sent countless photos to her about all the rare and exotic fish he was seeing and catching on his world cruise trip. Out of all her teammates though, she was especially happy for the way things have been going for Emily and Mike post-ranger duty.
According to the emails she had received from Emily, and to an extent Mike, both her and Mike seemed to have taken quite a liking to living in the countryside looking after Serena. Recent emails that her bubbly, blonde friend had given Mia were filled with day-to-day activities that transpired on her family farm. One such email included a detailed report about the current standing between Mike and one of the dairy cows on the farm who refused to be milked by him. Other snippets from Emily's emails included how proud her parents were about how well she took her sister's place and helped put an evil permanently to rest, how her sister had finally gone into remission and seemed infinitely better than she had been since she had gotten sick, and how much she loved having Mike around. It was reading those bits of her emails about how her relationship with Mike was flourishing that made Mia smile the most. Knowing that her friend was so happy in love made Mia feel so content with everything that happened during their ranger days. If all of them had not gone through what they did, Mike and Emily may not have been as close as they are now. However, despite being so utterly joyful for growing couple, it didn't stop Mia from being a bit jealous of the two of them from finding each other.
Ever since Mia was a little girl, all she ever dreamed of was to find her Prince Charming. In childhood, she married her dolls and stuffed animals in so many different combinations it was difficult for her to recall now which ones married whom. As she grew up, she secretly scavenged through old magazines for wedding dress inspirations and other wedding details. By the time she was ten years old she had her perfect wedding all figured out in all its details. All she needed was the find her perfect man, and she was set. However, at such a young age, she had no idea how difficult that would end up being.
Regardless of the countless unsatisfying dates she had gone on since the end of their ranger watch and the start of culinary school, Mia still had hope that her soulmate was out there somewhere in the world waiting to find his missing piece like she was. She didn't feel discouraged in the least, since she was a firm believer in "everything happens for the reason".
But she only wished that her "happily ever after" would come sooner rather than later.
When she was a ranger, it was easier to hide away from the fact that she was pretty lonely. Mostly because she was with a group of her friends practically every minute of every day. Now though, she had some trouble making other friends. After going through what she did with the other rangers, it changed her. No one could else could ever fully understand the struggles and obstacles that she and her teammates overcame in the two years that they were in action. Not only that, but she would be constantly lying to her non-ranger friends because the identities of the Samurai Rangers must be kept a secret for all of their safety. Relating to the other students in her culinary classes just seemed too difficult and like a chore, if she was being honest. She always had to be on her toes to make sure she doesn't say too much or too less, and the anxiety in dealing with all the expectations of a social relationship with someone who was not a ranger more or less spooked her. This was more than likely the reason for her many, many, many failed dates. Due to the entire situation, the intense feeling of uncomfortableness and isolation had a constant, vice-like grip on her heart, and would not unstick its horrible claws off of it.
It was during this time that Mia was eternally glad that she had her cooking to fall back upon. She knew that the other rangers never really liked her cooking- well besides Lauren. That they only ever ate everything that she made because they never wanted to hurt her feelings. But she knew that with each passing day that she was improving on her cooking. But more than that, cooking was a way for her to forget all the negativity that she had to deal with and just enjoy what she loved to do. Mia was able to take the cons of being alone and channeled that into getting better at making delicious things, if she says so herself. Her practice dishes and treats mostly ended up being donated to the local soup kitchen, but it was when she cooked that the pressure on her heart alleviated a bit.
She figured that in order to feel happy and accomplished herself, she would cook and bake to her hearts content. Then maybe, just maybe, one day that constant weight in her chest would go away forever, just like Master Xandred.