Disclaimer: No, I don't own the Ronins, and Anna is a joint owning by me and Angelica Diablo, so don't steal!!!!! The song, A Thousand Miles is by Vanessa Carlton!!
Making my way down town
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Ryo stepped off the plane that landed in Tokyo. It felt strange to be in Japan again, after spending a month in New York with Sage. The atmosphere of the two cities were so different: one filled different cultures, the other with the feeling of the Orients. The air smelled different too.
"Ryo!" Cye, Kento, Rowen, and a teenaged Yuli rushed over to him and embraced him in multiple hugs. Ryo laughed and returned the hugs.
"Hey guys," He said. "Where's Blaze?"
"Outside," Cye answered. "They wouldn't let him into the building, even with the promise that he wouldn't bite."
They grabbed Ryo's luggage from the luggage area. "So, what didja bring us???" Kento asked. "How's my uncle doing?"
"You're uncle is fine, but I didn't bring anything back for you." He laughed as Kento gave a very depressed, puppy-eyes look. "Just kidding. But Sage told me not to give anything to you."
"Well, Sage can go jack off." Kento grunted.
Yuli tapped Kento. "Kento, be nice. How is Sage?"
They made it to Kento's van and dumped Ryo's stuff into the back as Ryo told them about his trip.
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
That night, Ryo spent the night over at Mia's, where the remaining Ronins stayed over the summer. He was laying in his bed, thinking about the past month. It had been fun; no fighting evil Dynasty freaks, just hanging out with Sage, learning some American culture, clubbing....
Clubbing. That had been the most fun. He was kind of shocked at some of the night life styles that people wore at first. But he quickly grew accustomed to it and by the third night he was having the time of his life. He was a good dancer to begin with, but he quickly picked up some new moves from Sage, who was of course hitting on every girl he talked too. Ryo had danced with a few girls, but there was one who stood out the most.
And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
Anna. She had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever met. Long light brown hair, round green eyes, slender... He first saw her singing to Mandy Moore's Candy at a karaoke bar. She had a pretty alto voice and was wearing a dyed pink tank top and light blue jean cut-offs. Sage had to wave his hand in front of Ryo's face several times to get his attention.
They had spent the rest of the night together. Ryo bought her a few drinks, danced, and learned a few things about her. Anna had grown up in multiple foster homes since she was three and had finally ran away when she was sixteen to become a singer. She had been singing at karaoke bars and working several jobs at once to keep her off the streets. Ryo had walked her to her door at four in the morning, and that's when he felt himself fall for her completely.
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you... tonight
Ryo felt White Blaze nudge him with a cold nose. Ryo looked at the white tiger and scratched his ears. "Hi Blaze." The tiger purred in response and gave him a questioning look. "I'm fine. Really." White Blaze didn't seem to believe him, but let it drop for now.
Off in dream world, Ryo saw Anna again. They were playing on Long Island beach, water wrestling and surfing. Damn, she looked good in a bikini. But then something happened. The sky grew dark and the familiar laugh of Tulpa filled the air. Anna was suddenly swallowed by the waves and vanished into the murky depths.
"Anna!" Ryo sat up sharply, covered in perspiration and breathing heavily. A dream... that's all it was...
It's always times like these
When I think of you
And I wonder
If you ever think of me
White Blaze was giving his friend a concerned look. He sensed something had been up with Ryo since he returned from his trip; the Human had been more quiet then usual. He watched as Ryo got up and went to his dresser for his wallet. Ryo pulled out a piece of paper. On it was written Anna's number. Walking quietly out to the hallway he went for the cordless in the kitchen, bumping into Kento who was carrying three plates full of cookies, sandwiches, and chocolate bars.
"Hey buddy." Kento said. "Who ya calling this late at night?"
"Why are you eating so much late at night?" Ryo responded. "You're going to have nightmares."
"Naw..." Kento laughed. "See ya in the morning." He headed upstairs.
Sitting at the table, Ryo dialed the number on the paper, making a mental note to give Mia the money for the call. He let it ring until the answering machine picked up.
"Hi, you've reached Anna and Jen. We're out at the moment, but if you leave your name and number we'll get back to you." Beep.
Ryo hesitated for a moment. "Hi, Anna?" He said in his rough English. "This is Ryo. Just thought I'd give you a call. I'll try again later. Bye." He hung up, feeling his heart sink. He just wanted to hear her voice again. Did she remember him? Probably not... After all, he only was able to see her for a few nights before leaving for Japan again.
Cause everything's so wrong
And I don't belong
Living in
Your precious memory
Anna hurried to the phone, but Ryo just hung up just as she pressed the talk button. She sighed. Damn. Oh well, she'd call him later. She needed a shower before going into work.
Ryo... He had been such a gentleman while they went out. She wasn't used to it: opening doors for her, giving her flowers, actually listening to what she had to say... At first she had just started talking to him because he bought her drinks and he was pretty cute, but his accent lured her to stay out longer then she usually did and had her go out with him again and again. His eyes were so blue and hypnotizing. And they had a lot in common with their back rounds, sports, stuff they liked to do...
She sighed and got out of the shower and got dressed for the working at the bar. She put on a low cut purple cameo shirt and a tight black leather skirt. She fixed her hair up into a ponytail and applied her make-up, then headed out the door.
At the same time Ryo was heading back to his room and was dozing off, White Blaze's head in his lap.
Cause I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by, oh
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you... tonight
Anna served the men some drinks, ignoring their comments about her going home with them. She missed Ryo's replied to those. He always told them off for not being gentlemen. Usually that almost started a fight, but Sage always broke it up. Strange it was, to be protected by a complete stranger. But he didn't feel like one every time he took her hand.
"Hey there Anna," A familiar voice said. She looked up to see Sage.
"Hey blondie." She said smiling. "What can I get for ya?"
"Just a soda tonight. I got pulled into the graveyard shift so I got to take it easy."
Anna poured him a coke and handed it to him. "Have you heard from Ryo?"
"He made it back safe, according to Rowen, but he looks kinda of distant. Have you?"
"He called, but I just got in the door when he hung up."
Sage studied her for a moment. "You didn't think he would call?"
Anna shrugged as she served another person. "Wouldn't be the first time."
And I, I don't wanna let you know
I, I drown in your memory
I,I don't wanna let this go
I, I've fallen...
Sage shook his head. "Ryo's a pretty serious guy. When he promises something, he does everything in his power to keep it. In fact, I think it's even more so with you."
"Why?" Anna asked, pretending to be interested in cleaning the bar.
"Because he's fallen in love with you, and for Ryo, it's next to impossible for him to fall in love."
Anna stopped what she was doing. So Ryo really did feel something for her. She was going to have to try to call him back...
Making my way down town
Waking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Several months had passed, and Ryo and Anna had been keeping in touch with each other, both of them falling more and more deeper for each other every time. Then one day the Ronins got a call from Sage telling them that he was coming back for a few weeks before they had to return to college.
Of course, sage had a surprise for Ryo. He had asked Anna if she wanted to come. She looked rather reluctant to leave her home at first, but then the thought of seeing Ryo again sunk in and she readily agreed. So they boarded the plane and thirteen hours later they were in the Tokyo airport. Poor Anna had never been in a plane, let alone for so long. Sage had to give her some sedatives to make her go to sleep.
Staring blankly ahead
Making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
Rowen was there to greet them, the others have to either be a work or were sent on errands from Mia.
"Damn Sage, you bring a new girl every time."
Sage gave his friend a dirty look. "This is Anna, Rowen. I'm surprised you're even up this early."
Rowen got a surprised look on his face, ignoring the comment that Sage had made. "Ryo's Anna? You didn't tell us you were bringing her."
"Of course not. One of you might have ruined the surprise."
Anna laughed at the indignant look that the blue haired warrior gave Sage. He helped take some baggage and load it up in the car. "Ryo won't be back until late. He's working with Cye in the restaurant."
"Ryo cooks?" Anna asked, recognizing some of the words Sage had taught her on the plane.
Sage smirked. "Not very well. Though not as bad as Rowen here." He laughed as Rowen smacked him playfully across the arm.
And I still need you
And I still miss you
And now I wonder
If I could fall into the sky
Do you think time, would pass us by
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
Ryo sighed. Working with Cye was great, but he preferred to be doing something else then serving people. He didn't have the patience for it and had to go out back several times already to let out some steam. If Cye didn't need the help, he probably wouldn't have taken up the job. He couldn't wait to get back home and call Anna.
"Sage is coming up today, isn't he?" Cye asked on break.
"Yeah, can't wait to see him. I wonder what goodies he's brought back to tease Kento with though."
Cye laughed. "Yeah. It'll be fun to watch Kento chase Sage around again."
"Or vis versa if Kento messes around with Sage's hair gel." They both started cracking up at some of the memories that appeared in both of their heads. Ryo gave a deep sigh.
Cye gave him a weird look. "That's it. You've been acting strange since you came back from New York, you spend hours on the phone with a girl you met, why don't you just got back and see her for crying out loud?"
"I-"
"No excuses!" Cye told him. "As soon as we get back home you're making arrangements to get to New York and you're staying there until you have to come back for college. Got it?"
"Yes Mr. Romantic," Ryo replied, giving him a look that was between annoyance and thankfulness for some interference.
If I could fall into the sky
Do you think time would pass me by
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you...
Yulie was playing soccer with White Blaze when he saw Cye and Ryo drive up. He grinned, knowing the surprise that Ryo was in for. He and the tiger raced up to the two friends. "Hey guys. Ryo, White Blaze has been acting weird today. He keeps losing at soccer. Why don't you try against him for a few minutes?"
Ryo looked down at Blaze. "What's the matter boy? Not feeling good?"
Cye knew something was up when Yulie winked at him. "I'm going inside to make that phone call for you, Ryo. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Ryo nodded and took the soccer ball from Yulie, who raced off after Cye. "come on, boy."
Inside, Anna was watching Ryo from the window. At first, she had been afraid of White Blaze, but he proved to be just a big house cat. Watching Ryo, she was literally restraining herself from running out to him and surprising him that way. But Sage had other ideas. She was to keep in hiding until dinner started, then as he sat down to eat she would make her appearance. She hoped dinner wouldn't take too long to make!
She greeted Cye warmly. Anna really like all of Ryo's friends. They were so easy going, not like the people at home. If you met a new person, they were uptight and tried to ward you off until they really got to know you, and even then they mistrusted. Everyone here was so... trusting. It was a refreshing change.
Finally Cye announced that Anna had better go into the kitchen so he could call Ryo and White Blaze in. She did, heart pounding.
"Yulie..." Ryo gasped, out of breath from chasing his tiger all over the place. "I don't know what you are talking about, he's still pretty good..." He wiped some perspiration off his forehead.
Yulie shrugged. "Musta just have been me then."
"Sit," Cye commanded.
Ryo took notice that his friends weren't sitting in their usual places. In fact, the seat to the right of him was left empty, which was where Yuli usually sat. In fact, there seemed to be an extra chair...
Sage cleared his throat. "Ryo, I forgot to tell you, I got something for ya. Cye?"
Cye opened the kitchen door and out walked Anna. Ryo stood up, mouth to the floor.
"Anna! How? When?" Everyone laughed at his exclamations.
Anna gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Sage brought me over. I'm staying here until it's time for us to go back."
Ryo was speechless. He pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit. "This is the best thing you guys have ever done for me. Thank you!"
"Ryo, if you start getting mushy on us, I'm going to beat you," Kento warned.
Later that night, Ryo showed Anna to her bedroom. "Anna... I'm glad you're here."
"Same here," she replied. "I think I've fallen in love with you." she put her arms around his neck and gave him a deep kiss. "Goodnight, Ryo."
Ryo, feeling like his soul had been completed at last, ran his hand down Anna's face. "Goodnight, Anna. Pleasant dreams."
If I could just hold you... tonight