Disclaimer: I don't own Ronin Warriors though I would greatly like to.
Chapter One
Mia woke up with a start, dripping in sweat. She took long, slow breaths to calm her harsh breathing. Setting up in her bed, she lit the oil lamp on the bed stand. Mia sighed at the memory of that accursed night as she leaned against the headboard. Tears slowly began to run down her face as she thought back to the dream she had just woken from.
Five long and turbulent years had past since the death of the most important people in her life. Looking into the flame of the lamp Mia closed her eyes.
"What if they had come sooner?" More tears fell as Mia thought of the crew of the Blind Maiden tearing into the ballroom and taking Melrose and his crew of brigands down. If only they had come a few minutes faster they could have saved their Captain, no Commodore. Yes, he was to be named a Commodore the fallowing morning, yet the fates had it in for them both.
A knock on the door startled Mia, as she attempted to dry her eyes quickly. Before she could answer though, a small, redheaded boy stuck his head into the room.
"Mother?" He question silently, almost inaudible. Mia smiled and motioned for the five year old to come in.
He shut the door slowly and silently behind him, then sprinted off and jumped into his mother's bed—she had pulled the covers down ready for his small frame to jump in.
"Another nightmare darling?" Mia ran her fingers through his hair as he laid his head in her lap and snuggled up to her. The boy nodded his head before snuggling up closer and soon falling asleep.
Mia smiled and continued to play with his beautiful red hair.
"Just like your fathers." Mia's smile dropped a bit and she leaned over and blew the lamp out. Yes the irony just oozed out of ever crack and crevice in their lives.
The small redheaded boy set at the breakfast table kicking his feet – which were dangling high above the floor – back and forth. A large toothy grin covered his rosy face as he happily ate his breakfast.
Mia smiled back at her son from across the small round table. Standing up, she leaned over the table and wiped the poor boy's mouth of the frosting left behind by the coffee cake. Tapping his nose, Mia set back and sipped her juice.
"Finish your fruit son or you won't be able to go on the ride today." Mia warned the little boy, who seemed to be unfazed by the small threat.
"I will mommy once I get done with the cakes." The boy flashed her a toothy grin, closing and squinting his eyes for affect.
"Oh I bet you will." Mia smiled a half smile and turned back to her own food.
"Look it mommy! The hounds are out!" The little boy jumped out of his chair and ran to the large windows that lined the octagon shaped room.
"Oh my!" Mia jumped up and followed her son's actions and pushed back the lace curtains.
Looking out across the vast lawn scattered with trees, Mia saw a large pack of dogs sprint across the yard followed closely behind by the young man that tended to them.
"Oh my indeed!" Mia turned and quickly walked out of the room—grabbing her shawl on the way—down the steps and into the servant's quarters that led outside. Hurrying out across the lawn, Mia tried her best to reach the dogs.
Turning the corner of the house, Mia was meet with the barking and howling of the dogs coming her way. Making sure she was good and in front of them Mia gave a good strong whistle. At the sound of this the dogs sped up and ran to her side.
"Heel!" Mia placed her hands on her hips and pushed a loose piece of hair back. The dogs came to a sudden halt at her feet and set, all panting heavily with their tongues hanging to the ground. The lead dog, Arnold, jumped up on top on Mia, knocking her down to the ground. The other dogs followed suit and covered Mia with their muddy bodies licking her.
"Come on boys! Get off the lady!" The burly caretaker of the dogs began to pick the creatures off Mia. Mia smiled up at the man as he tried to pry Arnold off of her.
"I am most thankful Kento." Mia accepted the man's hand.
"Don't for rightly know how they got out of the pins milady." Kento scratched his head and stared down at the dogs.
"Mommy!" Richard came running out across the yard. At the sound of the small boys voice the dogs perked up and took off after him.
"Arnold!" Kento reached for the dog as he led the other dogs towards the young sir.
Mia just laughed as Richard disappeared under the mountain of bloodhounds. A few maids walked out at the sound of the hounds and laughter.
Kento ran over to the dogs once more and pulled the small laughing child from their grasps. Richard's face was almost raw from being licked so much when Kento pulled him from the mob.
"Bad dogs!" Kento scolded the creatures half-heartedly.
"Oh Kento do be reasonable." Mia smiled at him as she took her son from his arms.
"Let me play Mother! Please?" Richard squirmed in her arms and gave her the most depressing and yet hopeful face he could muster.
"Alright, alright. I guess we can postpone the ride till tomorrow." Mia sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, pulling the shawl closer to her. She watched in silence as Richard stagger up and run across the lawn into the gardens with the dogs.
"He'll be alright Mia." A voice came over her left shoulder. Turning around Mia gave a small smile to Kento then looked back over her shoulder.
"I just wish sometimes..." She shook her head then looked back at Kento, "It's getting a bit chilly... would you like to come in for some coffee?"
"I would love to." Kento extended his hand and escorted Mia back inside.
That is chapter one, man i'm diggin this new edit thing on fanfiction, are the people that do this stuff not just the best! I love you all