Author's Notes: Meh, summer...the time to catch up on all the stories! Thanks for the reviews & looking forward to what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

A Desired Peace

Murder. The armored soldier had a pure look of delight on his face. The knife was nestled perfectly in Mia's milky skin. Blood poured out of the wound, the sparkle from her eyes were dimmed.

And she had died.

The Armor of Inferno couldn't breath. He had fought so hard, but apparently not hard enough. Somehow, the powerful leader had not been able to protect the thing that mattered most.

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Ryo sat upright in his bed. It took him a moment before he realized where he was. A dream, just a damn dream! It's not real! How any times would this nightmare happen? I thought they were finished...why are they back? His eyes went to the empty space beside him.

It had taken a few weeks for Ryo to get use to sleeping alone again. During the honeymoon, he had enjoyed the way his wife curled on her side and slept against his chest. His arms would be around her and all would be well. No dreams, no fear.

Four weeks had passed too slowly. Every single day was the same thing: wake up, train, and be as distant as possible from the two people he cared about. The first day after they returned was the worst. Mia had made him his favorite breakfast. The smell had woken him before the others. And when he entered that kitchen, there his wife stood with a grin. She shyly had leaned forward for a kiss. His words were not the kindest,"You can stop pretending, what's done is done. Please, just stop pretending."

She had stood there with tears and he had caused them. Did she not grasp what he said the day they returned? He didn't look back after that...but the others noticed a difference.

Kento tried to ignore their changing leader's attitude, Cye took one day at a time, but Rowen had voiced his thoughts one day to the others.

There was something different about this quiet, serious Ryo. Before Talpa, he had been an easy going guy. He loved to play soccer with the guys, joked, and was much too serious about winning competitions. But After Talpa had come, the fun loving warrior was replaced with a stubborn, serious, hotheaded leader.

Now? With the threat of the new enemy, they didn't recognize him anymore. He had been withdrawn. The others knew not to cross his path or question his authority. He had one job: to protect his friends and his world...a job he did not take lightly.

Rubbing his eyes, Ryo tried to erase his memories. I was okay with this at first...maybe even hoped we could find a way after this enemy came...not after what I saw. It hadn't taken Mia long at all to run back to Sage...it was much easier than he thought. He remembered the scene he stumbled upon earlier this week.

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"Dinner was wonderful, thank you." She smiled. Hanging her purse on the coat rack, Mia turned to face Sage.

"I figured you needed a break from everything." The Halo helped her remove her shawl. It really was a wonderful evening. The two ate sushi and listened to a live performance of a new local jazz band. Many had danced around them, but the two sat most of the evening and just talked like old times.

Sage was different. He was attentive, he was caring...he loved her. Mia's heart squeezed. Why did things have to be so complicated? It had been a very draining week At work. A night on the town sounded like a good escape. Was this why it was so easy to accept Sage again-because she was hurt?

Ryo had pretended to care..manipulated her, played with her emotions...she was a job and he had done his part. Sage? She'd dated Sage for a long time. She could rely on him and she knew his favorite authors. But he had been distant...he had waited after she got married to tell her his true feelings. Were they even his true feelings?

Common sense told her to stay away from both of them. But even as she spent time with Sage once more, her heart didn't leap as it use too. Her thoughts continued to go to Ryo.

Sage whispered as he rested his hands on her shoulder,"I wish I could change everything, I wish-"

"Wishes aren't real, they're a trick used to make people believe in a happily every after."

"...but you can have a happily ever after, Mia, you know my feelings haven't changed..."

He was so close. Sage had leaned down and gave her a look she had always yearned for..desire. All she had to do was reach up by standing on her toes...and oh, did she want to. Maybe if she tried just once more, she'd feel something for the man she thought she had loved.

Her thoughts were shattered as she remembered her purchase from last night.

"Sage, I can't. We can't. I'm married."

That felt like a slap in the face,"you're married to a sorry son of a -"

"...please, Sage, don't do this. I had such a perfect evening and I don't want to ruin it. I need to be happy right now, I need-"

"...I see no enemy, Mia. Is any of this real? It's like we're puppets in the ancient one's play."

Mia bit her tongue. Yes, a puppet indeed. She certainly had enjoyed the act 2, scene 3 very well...too bad it was all pretend. Her insides twisted as she thought of Ryo. She almost had convinced herself that she felt something for him. The way they had talked, made love...even her heart screamed when she was with him...but why? As soon as they had gotten back, she assumed they would move forward and discover a new world together. No...no, the Wildfire surely hadn't approached her since they've gotten back. He simply stated they could sleep in seperate rooms and ignored her every day after.

...is it wrong to actually want to be loved? Is it wrong for me to desire a happily ever after? I adore Sage, but why can't I feel secure? Why is there still a hole in my heart...I don't love Ryo, how can I? It was a week of romance and sex, that was it...it meant nothing...it was an act, Mia, quit hoping for-

"Your thoughts just flew away." Sage leaned down, kissed her cheek, and reluctantly said,"good night, Mia."

...quit hoping for a love that isn't real.

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Mia held the pregnancy test in her hand. How did she know this would happen? Tears welled in her eyes. She lowered to the bathroom floor. Emotion overcame her and she let herself cry into her folded arms.

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Cye turned the oven off. It wasn't like Mia to burn food, especially something as easy as lasagna. Pulling out the dish, he smirked. Well, it wasn't too bad. It took a few minutes to whip up a side salad and to make garlic bread. Where was she at?

Kento opened the back door to the kitchen and a smile erupted on his face. "Now, this is what I wanted...a home cooked meal after a long day! I'd say I earned some ice cream, too, after all that training-"

"You always earn ice cream in your opinion, Kento, and you always treat yourself...one of these days, you're going to regret all that extra sugar."

"You're not my mom, Cye-"

"Just looking out for you, my friend..."

The rest of the Warriors entered in about that time. It had been a long day of training. They were tired. Ryo walked in last with a feeling of satisfaction. They had worked hard today...he was proud of his friends, very proud.

The Ronin Warriors worked together like a well oiled machine. They knew each other's thoughts and could predict each other's moves. Today showed how they had grown in their training.

The only problem was the undeniable feud between Sage and Ryo. The leader practiced wisdom and avoided contact with him. They hadn't been left alone together since the wedding. Though they acted civil when they trained, they didn't speak.

Sage had began to spend more time with Mia. He would go on walks with her, help her with dishes, and make conversation as if things were normal. Last night was the first time he had took her out.

Ryo pretended to to notice the smug grin on the Halo's face when Rowen asked how the new band was. It was a simple dinner conversation. Sage spoke up,"Mia and I really enjoyed them. The crowds were dancing and i would recommend them to anyone...especially if you were on a date."

The Wildfire's eyes snapped up from his dinner plate and bore down into his "friend." Low blow, Sage, low blow. The table had grown silent.

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Cye opened Mia's door before knocking again. There had been no response. She had missed dinner...that wasn't normal, especially recently. He had noticed her avoiding meal times but snacking a lot more. "Mia? Love, are you okay?"

He heard the sniffles. Some shuffling. The bathroom door in her room was shut. "Are you alright?"

The door opened. Mia remained in her work clothes. Her pencil skirt was wrinkled and her white blouse looked as if it needed to be ironed. Mia hated looking disorderly. And yet, here she was, as disheveled as a child waking up from a nap. Running mascara and red eyes gave the clue she had been crying.

She lowered herself on her bed and wiped her eyes with a tissue,"I'm so confused."

Her best friend was silent. He knew it was a time only to listen.

"I thought I loved him. We've been spending time together...he's different. He listens and he cares...he loves me. Isn't this what I've always wanted? But it's so different now."

He sat beside her on the bed, a smile crossed his face,"you're married now, Mia...of course, it's different."

"I'm married in name only."

"I'm not as easy to fool as the others. I know something happened with Ryo while you guys were away. He called me and told me a lot of things-"

Her cheeks flamed red,"What did he tell you?" I forgot he was on the phone with him when I accused Ryo of being with Lauren. Oh, gee, how did I let my common sense go?

"I promised him I would never speak a word of what he told me, Mia. You know I keep my promises."

"Fine, we did...married people things...and we went on dates...and we talked. It was like a real honeymoon. He even took me to a book reading and sat through it as if he cared. He brought me flowers and he danced with me, and he kissed me...he acted like he loved me-and then we get home...he told me it's time to get back to reality. He has ignored me every single day since we've been back. He doesn't look at me, he doesn't share a room with me...we are strangers again. I married someone who doesn't even care for me...I was a job."

"...are you sure about that?"

"...Ryo cares about protecting this world and nothing more. He's too stubborn to open his heart for anyone. When we were together...he was amazing...we were best friends again like we use to be...I actually thought there was something between us. Like there was actually a chance of me finding some type of happiness with this wonderful man...but then he turns into a Jeckyl and Hyde when we get back. I trusted him...and what do I get for trusting? I get hurt."

"Why aren't you telling your husband this? I'm sure if you talk to him-"

"I can't even talk to him, Cye...not now...it didn't work, fate is cruel and-" Fresh fears cascaded down her cheeks.

"...I'm sure once you're well rested you'll feel better. These are all normal symptoms of your hormonal changes-"

Mia felt her stomach knot,"No, I'm as normal as can be."

"You can tell me anything, Mia, and it's safe with me. I've seen your eating habits and I've surely noticed your sickness the past-"

She cut him off,"The doctor says it is stress related. I'm not pregnant, Cye...and if I'm not pregnant, there isn't a way to defeat this enemy. Fate is cruel, Cye, very cruel."

The Torrent paused. Not pregnant? A lump formed in his throat. "I'm sure it takes more than once." He tried to laugh it off and make it lighthearted.

Mia's face flamed,"Trust me, it was much..much more than once."

"..well..."

"I am not going to knock on his door and demand-"

He squeezed her hand,"You are your own person with your own thoughts. Listen to your heart, Mia. It won't steer you wrong."

...my heart is currently in millions of pieces, I don't think I can hear what it says right now. I've already trusted it too much.

His arms wrapped around her tightly. He stood by the door and let his hand Rest on the knob. "I know you're scared."

He was about to close the door so she could have privacy, but something stopped him. "You're braver than you think. I love you as my dear friend and I will always support you...but maybe you should try and piece that heart back together? Your heart isn't the only heart that has been hurt."

"...what does that mean?"

"Ask your husband, Mia. Ask your husband."

Mentally kicking himself, Cye shut the door. Did Mia really not know their leader was in love with her? For once in his life, Cye broke his confidentiality trust one time. Maybe they both just needed a push.