I'm back with another chapter and sooner than I thought. Which is cool. Thanks to the reviewers. The story should start getting better by the next chapter and especially by the 4th if not 3rd.

Through the Dark

Chapter 2

I woke up suddenly to a loud thundering noise that broke off every other two seconds to be followed up by a deep hiss. Opening my eyes, I sat up, turning my head rapidly and stopped my honey hues on the bluish black haired boy from the other day. Kento. I'd gotten to know the boys a little last night and they were all very nice, if some not a bit weird.

Apparently, he'd fallen asleep in a chair beside my bed and he was snoring like no tomorrow. I stared at him with wide eyes, wincing every time he loudly exhaled. "Kento, you sound like a freight train!" I protested, slapping his arm.

His eyes burst open, revealing alert dark blue orbs. He was up in a flash, hands moving into a martial arts position familiar to me. "Come out Dynasty scum! I've caught you red handed and you're about to wish you'd never been bor-" He stopped as he finally seemed to realize that he was in a harmless room with harmless furniture and a very disturbed me.

"Eh…" I shrunk away, pulling the covers up over me. This guy seemed a little lethal. "What were you doing sleeping in a chair?" I asked him, glancing at the minimally cushioned seat.

He was still blinking the sleep away I think and it took him a moment to process the question. "Ah, dang. Sorry, hope I didn't scare you. The guys and I have been keeping watch on you. We know the Dynasty wants you either dead or captured, so we're playing it safe."

I smiled lightly. "Well at least I know you'll be on your feet should something attack mid-snore."

He blushed in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head. "Heh, yeah."

The door opened next and Cye peered in. "Good. You're awake. Breakfast is ready."

"Whoo!" Kento shouted, zooming out the door, somehow avoiding bulldozing Cye.

The auburn haired boy shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh before turning his gaze to me. "We have some of Mia's clothes on that dresser over there for you. We told you about her last night. You'll get to meet her today. Yuli too."

I nodded numbly and he smiled reassuringly before closing the door.

Taking a deep breath, I looked over to the dresser to see a stack of clothes. I'd been so busy last night taking in what the guys were saying that the full extent of my situation didn't hit me until just then and I found myself crying.

I cried for a while, taking this time to mourn for my family and pray for them to have a safe and beautiful passage to the heavens.

I still couldn't believe this had happened to me. I mean, how often did your family just get ripped from your grasp? And in only a matter of seconds.

Wiping my eyes, I sluggishly made my way to the dresser and put on the white Capri's with a baby blue shirt that tied in the front of the neck, the strings reaching a few inches below my collar bone.

Looking in the mirror above the dresser, I frowned. My eyes were red and puffy. My cheeks rosy. My hair was a mess but I noticed a brush on the corner of the dresser and guessed it was for me. So I brushed my hair, glad I still had my scrunchie so I could pull it into a semi-high pony tail. My hair reached about to my hips when it was down.

Examining myself in a long mirror by the left corner of the room, I decided I looked good enough and headed out the door.

I walked slowly down the hall. Light teal carpet with picture frame adorned walls. All the frames held pictures of laughing people. Of a young woman with long brown hair holding a little boy with chili bowlish black hair. Of the guys I talked to last night. I smiled at a particular picture with Cye holding Kento in a headlock who didn't look too happy about it. Ryo, Sage, Rowen and that little boy stood to the side all frozen in laughter. I guessed Mia was the one taking that photo.

Continuing on down the hall, I came to stairs and quietly went down them, reaching the last step and looking around. A large living room to my left and a closed door to the right. I could hear voices down the hall in front of me and I noticed a wide, doorless opening to the right. Must be the kitchen. I could smell breakfast lingering in the air.

I took note of the front door at the end of the hall before entering the kitchen. Everyone went quiet. My honey eyes gazed around at the five Ronins standing over by the counter. Mia sitting at the table with the boy named Yuli. "Morning." I said calmly. "Sorry to have missed breakfast."

There was silence before Kento spoke up. "It's ok. We have some pop tarts if you like those?"

I nodded. "That would be fine." I said, feeling my heart ache a bit. My little brother loved pop tarts. Especially the strawberry ones.

Cye spoke next. "Oh. This is Mia, Ame. And that's Yuli."

I watched him walk over to them, patting Yuli on the head.

"Hi!" The little boy said loudly.

I smiled. "Hello, Yuli. Mia."

"Hello." Mia said kindly.

I could see that Mia was apprehensive about asking me questions. She probably didn't know what to ask without sparking some kind of emotional trigger. Yuli on the other hand, didn't mind.

"Where'd you come from?" The boy said, hopping over to me.

"A little on the west corner of Sendai."

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you like! Me and the guys will protect you from those jerks, don't you worry!" He chirped, hands balled up at his chest.

"Yuli!" Mia scolded in a playful manner from her seat.

I smirked. "Thank you." I murmured, looking up to see Kento popping my breakfast in the toaster and Cye walking over to give me some orange juice. I thanked him and took a seat at the table.

It got silent again. I bet they were uneasy because of my appearance. I knew I still looked like I cried my eyes out. But it couldn't be helped.

"So," Cye said, addressing me, "I was talking with Mia last night when she got home and we decided that it'd be better if Mia went with you to the police station. You could tab her as a friend. It'd look better than me."

I nodded. That was a good idea. But I wasn't sure if I'd be comfortable enough around Mia to act like she was a friend. I barely knew her, which meant I had to try and cram a talk session in with her before we left.

Kento placed the pop tarts in front of me on a plate. "There, bon appetité!"

I smiled at him. He was such a strange character but he made me smile the most out of all of them. "Arigatou."

"No problem, babe."

"Kento." Came the warning growl from Cye.

I laughed. The guys seemed to loosen up after that and the kitchen was hardly considered quiet.

We all talked about different things and I got to know Mia better, Yuli too. Yuli may have been a rowdy kid, but he was pretty cute. He reminded me of my little brother, of course and I was ashamed to catch myself watching him forlornly every now and then.

It got to around two in the afternoon. We talked about what we were going to say and what we were going to do. Me and Mia had hit it off pretty good, and I was glad. She was a really nice person.

As we headed out the front door to the car, we had six boys all waving and shouting goodbye.

With waves of our own, we sped off and headed down the dirt road.

Mia glanced to me out of the corner of her eye. "It's a good thing your armor orb led you to us. Or things could have been complicated. Rowen said the Ancient One told him that you were summoned to fight as the warrior of Will for a good reason. But that's all he said. That we needed you." She sighed. "He'd always so mysterious."

I smiled weakly. "I'll be ready to help you then. You've all been very kind."

She smiled back. "Ryo and the others didn't know each other when they first got their orbs, except for Cye and Kento. They were living together at Kento's and Cye and him are like brothers."

"I noticed."

She nodded. "But they all managed to become really good friends and I'm sure you'll become good friends with all the other Ronins also."

"Yes, they're all very nice." I let out a little giggle. "Funny characters too."

Mia laughed lightly. "Yeah, they are an odd group."

Silence crept up and I took a deep breath. "It's ok to talk to me about anything, Mia. I've accepted my family's death and I know they'll always be in my heart. So please, feel free to talk to me about it."

Mia looked at me in surprise. "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to upset you."

"It's ok, you won't."

She paused and smiled kindly. "You're a very strong person. I admire you."

I snorted a bit. "Nah, there isn't much to admire."

"Nonsense. There's a lot." She said seriously, pausing again. "When we get to the station, if things get too hard for you, I'll be there, okay?"

I smiled gratefully. "Okay."

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When we reached the station, I could feel my nerves start to go. I started to shiver a little as we walked to the front doors and into the coffee filled atmosphere.

Mia nodded to me and I headed to the front counter.

"Hello, miss. What can I do for you?" A pudgy black officer asked.

"My name's Ame Naruki. Survivor of the Naruki massacre." I responded, watching his eyes get big. He turned around to look at a bulletin board and I saw my picture.

He whipped back around. "Please, stay right there. I'll call detective Marlow, he's the one working with your case."

I nodded, taking in a deep breath. Mia was here and I'm sure my grandparents would be here soon, too. I had nothing to worry about. But then why was I so nervous?

The rest of the day seemed to go by in a blur of questions, faces, and phone calls. My grandparents came about an hour and a half later. I was hugged to death and fussed over.

I stayed at the station for a good six hours until they finally released me with my grandparents. The funeral for my family was tomorrow and I felt my heart ache as images of my family's coffins filled my head.

Mia gave me the phone number to her house and we played off the friend bit really good, my grandparents thanking her profusely for taking me in.

I wanted to go with Mia, but my grandparents were nice people. Though the boys and I had talked about the dangers of me being alone around my last remaining family. Dais and Sekhmet could come for me again and I would get a replay of the events the night before. I didn't want that. So we all decided that I would beg to go back over to my Mia's house for a while and hopefully my grandparents would let me.

Other than that, since I had to stay at my grandparents tonight, Rowen and Ryo were going to come and keep watch at the house. I felt bad about them having to sit outside all night, but it was necessary.

The drive to my grandparent's was anything but exciting and I got an earful the whole time. I couldn't blame them though. I was their only grandchild left. I was their daughter's only reminder.

I slept uneasily that night, fearing the events of the next day. My held my armor orb tightly in my right hand. It gave me strength, or it at least helped boost the strength I had. I was sure without its tranquility, I would've lost it. Seeing your family die was horrifying and I stayed up wondering about all the other people who might've had to see what I had to see. Though when I saw a red and blue light shine outside my window, I smiled and managed to fall into a fitful sleep. I had two Ronin Warriors keeping me safe.

TBC….

Thanks a lot to those who reviewed. And yes, I'm going to get some Mia romance in there. Though I'm not sure who I should hook her up with. You guys help me out and include it in your review.

-Aryll 3