Disclaimer: I don't own anything dealing with the Ronin Warriors. This was just something which happened to have popped into my head for some reason one night. A good friend found this old story I wrote a long time ago. This story is a short one shot side piece. Did a little tweaking and decided to put it up. Enjoy!

I frowned deeply. My mind was made up. I was going to do this, and no one was going to stop me. I made my choice, and now was the time to see it through.

All I had to do was hang on for eight seconds. It sounded easy enough, but when I saw the first rider, I cringed on the inside. The rider fell under the bull. The beast trampled upon his chest and crushed at least four ribs or more. He was lucky to have survived.

I walked over to the shoot and climbed the top of the sides. I swung my legs over and rested at the top. Not far off, I heard the beast as it was loaded inside. He sounded hostile. I can't say I blame him. If I had someone kicking spurs into my sides, I'd be pissed too.

The bull was now loaded into the shoot. It bucked around furiously. He looked up and saw me. It was like he knew I was next to ride. His eyes, man, I'll never forget. His eyes showed anger and blood lust.

I felt my throat tighten. My breathing started to grow shallow. I heard my heart pound like a jackhammer in my chest. My hands started to sweat inside of my gloves. I took them off and plunged my hands into a bucket of chalk, and then cleaned them off.

I looked up when I heard my name being called. People stood up in the stands and cheered for me. I slid my gloves back on and gave the crowd a grin as I waved to them.

The bull's roar brought me back to reality. My eyes narrowed when I looked back at the beast. I wasn't afraid anymore. I had no reason to be. Because in the stands was someone who waited for me.

I took a few deep breaths, and then I steadied myself while I settled myself upon his back. I slipped my hand into the harness and then tightened the rope. I made sure it was on as tight as it could because there was no way this bull was going to throw me. I wasn't going to let him.

I nodded my head to signal I was ready. Then the horn blew and the gate was thrown wide open. The bull came out of the shoot like there was no tomorrow. He was very determined to throw me off. But there was no way he was going to win. Not this time.

The announcer said four seconds passed. The crowd roared in excitement. Just four more seconds to go and I would beat him.

My body whipped around violently while the bull kept thrashing around like he was rabid or something. Yea, I could feel intense pain in my shoulder and arm from the damage he did to it the first time I rode. I was cocky then. I thought I could easily ride this beast. But I was wrong. He shattered my shoulder and arm. I was in the hospital for a month, and then in rehab for a couple of months afterward.

During the time I was laid up, I was depressed, so depressed I didn't care about anything. Then when she was permitted to see me after the surgery, she stayed by me the entire rest of the way.

My angel, she helped me through recovery, through the intense hours of rehab. Then about a couple of months later, I eventually got back the full function of my arm and shoulder. I was so happy I couldn't put it into words. So now, after a few more months of training, I'm ready to face this beast I'm riding now. I'm not just doing this for myself, I'm also doing this for my angel.

I was brought back to reality when the horn blasted again. The announcer said I stayed on the entire eight seconds! I did it!

I quickly untied the rope and pulled my hand from the harness. Then I jumped down and immediately moved away from the beast. I saw the clowns getting the bull's attention and then he went back into his pen. He knew this time he was beaten; he didn't get the best of me. I took off my hat and waved it to the crowd as I had a giant grin on my face.

I put my hat back on, and then hurried to the side and climbed over. I started to walk over to the stands. I was looking for her as I nudged my way through the excited crowd of people. I tipped my hat to them every once in a while as I kept looking.

Finally, I made it to where I saw her. Our eyes met, and we exchanged smiles. I lowered my hat and held it in my hands. I started walking towards her. I almost wanted to break out in a dead sprint but I didn't.

Once when we were within arm's length of each other, I dropped my hat to the ground and took her into my arms. We kissed for what seemed like the longest time, but it felt so good. I just wanted to stay like this, and I could feel she wanted this too. Then finally, we broke the kiss and gazed into each others' eyes.

I raised my hand and gently ran it through her hair, and then rested it onto the side of her face. I felt her hand lay on top of mine. She gripped it softly.

We stayed in our moment until someone from the rodeo commission came over. He cleared his throat, and we turned to face him. He apologized for disturbing our time, but he said that he had some news which might have peak my interest.

Both of us were curious about what he was regarding. So we listened to what the guy had to say.

He was thoroughly impressed with how I rode the bull. He wanted to get me into a four-year contract! To say the least, I was elated. But then I looked over at Kaye, and I saw a quick flash of sadness on her face. I frowned. If I took the contract, then we both knew I'd be on the road a good share of the time. I don't know if I could. I couldn't leave her for so long. It would be too hard on both of us.

The guy looked at Kaye and then looked over at me. He saw I needed some time to think about it. He said to contact him with a decision by the end of the week. He gave me his card with his number on it and then left the two of us alone.

It was getting late. I picked up my hat and then we left the rodeo. I drove for a good twenty minutes before we made it to the ranch. We got out and then headed inside. Neither of us said much on the drive back. I thought it was because neither of us knew what to say at the moment.

Kaye started to prepare food for supper. Before he came we were going to go out and celebrate at a restaurant. It was the plan anyway. Plans change so I went upstairs to get cleaned up. I took my shower and changed into a clean set of clothes. I was about to go back down, but just when I passed the desk, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

I turned and picked up the object from the desk. I recognized it; it was a picture book. I opened it and saw it was filled with pictures of us when we first arrived up to now. There was writing under each picture.

Memories started to flood back to me. We arrived basically to help out around here. But somehow I got talked into trying out for the rodeo. At first, I had no idea of anything even came close to what skills were needed to even participate. I've tried roping; it was a disaster. I tried steer wrestling. Man, harder than I thought, and besides, they were only half my size, so it didn't seem fair. I even tried riding a horse; not ever again. But Kaye took to riding pretty well. I was amazed, and I think she was too. Then I was told of one more event, and it was bull riding.

At first, I was reluctant. I saw what it was like on TV and I didn't want any part of it. I wasn't scared. I just didn't feel right in riding them. Something felt off about this particular event. But in the end, I was talked into it.

I closed the book and then set it back down. I headed to the kitchen where Kaye was setting the table. She looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back and then sat down. Once she saw I was ready, she joined me. We ate supper and then once we were done, I helped her clear the table and washed the dishes.

I asked Kaye to join me outside. She gave a small nod and walked out with me. I sat on the wooden swing and motioned for her to come and sit. She came over and sat down. We leaned back and looked up at the stars without saying a word. For a while, the only sounds to be heard were a small river close by, and the animals on the ranch.

I reached up and over Kaye's shoulders and drew her into me. She leaned against my body. I smiled when I circled my arms around her. I told Kaye I found the picture book on the desk upstairs and looked through it.

She looked up towards me with curious eyes. She wondered what I was trying to get at.

I told her I made my decision. I wasn't going to sign the contract to join the rodeo. It isn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I have a future with someone, and there was nothing ever to take this away.

She smiled at me as her eyes showed relief. I could tell she was hoping I'd decline the offer.

I smiled back, and then we moved closer and enjoyed the rest of the night together.