Ryo just couldn't take it anymore… no matter how far he ran, he just couldn't escape! Soldiers were everywhere, closing in around him, relentless. He swung his swords, but they only cut air, and his strength was quickly leaving him. His shoulders ached and his arms tingled… the tired ronin would barely swing his arms anymore, but he doubted he could have loosened the death grip he had on his weapons.

Out of nowhere, something went flying, cracking against the back of Ryo's head, sending stars to his already weary eyes. He stumbled in a cloudy haze for a moment longer before he felt one of the many dynasty soldiers crash into his chest, sending him to the rocky ground. Before he could even take a breath, several more of them were on top of him, preventing him from moving. Though he struggled against them, he knew he was trapped.

'At least I have armor on' he thought to himself, but not a moment later after their spears crashed down onto his protected body did he hear a discouraging crack. The red armor around him was failing him! The dynasty soldiers continued their assault until one of them managed to stab straight into him, staining the wildfire armor with a new kind of red. Ryo yelled out as loud as his tired lungs could, but still, he was unable to get away from the demons that were tearing at his body and face. Black firm hands came at him, suddenly, wrapping about his neck in an unrelenting grasp. He could hardly see now, but he managed to focus on the pain, and a sickening, seductive smile… that was all he could pick up before unconsciousness claimed him.

--

Ryo bolted awake so fast it made his vision swim. As he sat there, trying to catch his breath, the raven-haired ronin was in shock. He still saw the horrible attacks and felt the sting of their blades as a numb tingle against his skin. The exhaustion was the same, though, and he could not forget the ache in his muscles… the pain… the pain was so horrible! Not again… he'd dreamt about it again… his death.

Ryo could feel tears coming to his already swollen eyes and he leaned over his bent knees, trying to will them away, and bring his sanity back to him. He'd continued to have that same dream for nearly a month already, and the sleep deprivation was quickly wearing him down, leaving him weak. But at least this night, he wasn't alone, and his shaking awoke his bedmate. Mia yawned and looked up, wondering what had awoken her.

"Ryo?"

When her lover didn't respond, she pushed herself up to a sitting position and saw him. It was strange that he should be awake at such an hour… When she set a hand on his shoulder t question him, he jumped, quite unexpectedly. She was careful to go slower the next time she tried, and after a moment, he seemed to relax.

"Ryo, baby, what's wrong?"

With a sniffle, the tired ronin listed his head to look at her. He could barely choke out "Mia" through his tears and sobs. Mia could see he was terribly upset, and recalled how quiet he had been of late, and she let her fingers softly slide over the smooth, yet scarred sin of his back. The motion seemed to help calm him, and soon, he wiped away his tears and looked her in the eyes.

"Mia… I'm sorry for waking you." He said quietly and guilt-ridden.

"It's all right." She assured him. "But what happened? Y looked so afraid just now."

"A dream…" He said slowly, before lightly shaking his head. "No, a horrible nightmare. The soldiers… they were everywhere! They were…. They were-" he gulped loudy as he tried to steady his voice, "-on top of me, and all around, cracking open my armor, and--"

Mia silenced him with two fingers over his lips. She turned his pink face towards him, a comforting smile ready for him, and slowly but lovingly brought their lips together. It was soft and sweet and innocent… just what the ronin leader needed. When they pulled apart Ryo was blushing. Her mouth had been so hot, and the taste of her lips lingered, and his mind was led temporarily into a mindless fog.

"It was only a bad dream, Ryo… Just a dream." But Ryo shook his head at her, mind clearing. "But it felt so real… I could feel everything, and even smell…" He trailed off there and thought about what he was thinking of revealing. He resigned to keep it to himself, as not to frighten his lover. She didn't need to know that he could recognize the smell of blood and death. So, instead of scaring her, he put on a tired smile, feeling much better that her hands were still caressing against his heated skin.

"Mia, I'm so glad you're here with me now…"

"Me, too, Ryo." Somewhat hungrily, Ryo brought his lips back to Mia's, already missing the closeness and warmth for another body. Together, they parted and slipped back down under their warm covers. Mia contented herself with running her long, slim fingers through Ryo's unruly black locks as his head lay down on her shoulder, body pressed close. He sighed as she played with his hair, and she made a soft noise as he tiredly, but lovingly ran his free hand down her side, loving the feel of her silk nightgown over his fingers. Mia just had to smile.

Ryo was just like an affectionate kitten, always looking for attention. He absolutely loved being petted and stroked… she had to wonder if he had been starved of it until then. That thought made her want to give everything she had to fill him up. But, still, she knew something was wrong. Even Ryo didn't cry over nothing at all. That made it even harder for her to tell him the news, but she had to do it now or never, and at the moment, he was calm. She had to tell him.

"Ryo, baby?"

"Mm?" He muttered sleepily, his breath hot against her body.

"I… need to leave for a bit." His hand stopped moving.

"Wut…?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was asked to help with an exhibition coming up this weekend. In England. I need to fly out early in the morning."

"Nooooooooo…: Ryo whinend cutely, wrapping his arms around her waist. She couldn't contain the giggle as he shook his head against her in protest. She didn't want to disturb him, but his bangs were tickling her exposed collarbone, so she put her hands on the base of his neck to still his head. He did stop moving, and he let her go enough to rest on his arms, hovering over her and pouting.

"Mia, I don't want you to go away so soon… You just got back from a trip a couple days ago!"

"I know, Ryo, but a friend of mine asked me to come… It would have been rude of me to just say no."

"Mm…" His pout only grew, but she tried to smile as she rose just high enough to place a lazy kiss on his cheek. It was enough to convince him to lie back down against her again, and she went back to playing with his hair.

"It's only for a few days, Ryo. Then I'll be right back here where I belong."

"Hope so." He said before placing a soft kiss on her shoulder and closing his eyes to sleep again.

"I love you, Mia."

Funny… he must have fallen asleep right away, for he didn't hear her repeat it back.