Ronin Warriors: The Second War
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“Sai’s Question”

Mia and Sai walk into her living room, where the other eight warriors and Yuli were talking about the day they destroyed Talpa. Sai asks, “Ryo, where did Hariel go in such a hurry? I was hoping he’d tell us a little more about his past, but I can’t seem to find him.”

“I think he may have gone to the volcano. I’m not sure, though. He could be anywhere.”

Mia then asked, “Where is the volcano? I have some important information for his ears only.”

Ryo raplied, “If Kayura doesn’t know, then no one knows except Hariel. I don’t have a clue, to be honest.”

Kayura then stated, “I don’t know, either. If I were you, I’d try Ryo’s volcano. Hariel might be there.”

Mia and Sai left for the familiar volcano that Ryo found himself in three times durig the course of the war with Talpa. This volcano seemed to supercharge the Armor of Wildfire to undelieveable extents, and it seemed only logical that it would have similar effects on the Armors of Inferno. [ed.--Yes, “Armors;” there are two in this stroy.]

While driving to the volcano, Mia asked Sai, “Are you sure that this was such a good idea for you to come with me? If you get too close to the volcano, the Armor of Torrent may not protect you.”

“That doesn’t matter to me right now, Mia. I came along to ask you a question.”

“Oh, okay, sure. Ask away.”

Sai looked at Mia with eyes full of fear and hope, then looked down. “I’m not sure if I ever told you this, but my parents died a couple days before all the Ronin Warriors met up. I was wondering . . .” his voice trailed and faded.

Mia stopped the Jeep, looked at Sai, placed her hand on his shoulder, and said in a calm, compassionate voice, “Sai, of course you can stay with me. Whatever would give you the idea that you couldn’t?”

“Nothing . . . . I just thought I should ask you before I imposed. I only asked this way because I’m still in school. I’m only sixteen, and I wanted to make sure you were alright with it.”

“Of course, I am, Sai. Why wouldn’t I be? I’d have thought that by now you’d all know that you’re all welcome to stay with me, not just Ryo. Sure, I love Ryo, but that’s not the only reason we live together. He needed a place to stay, and I have more than enough room for all five of you. If you can get your things, you can move in as soon as we get home.” She then leaned over to him and lightly kissed him on the cheek. “I’d love to have you stay with us.”

Sai hugged Mia thankfully, and said, “Thank you, Mia. Now I understand why Ryo loves you so much.” Mia looked at him inquisitively. “You’re so caring and sincere that it’s impossible not to.”

“You love me too? Sai . . .”

“No, Mia, not like that. I love you as a friend. You are the best friend I’ve ever had. I feel more comfortable around you than I do around the others.” He paused for a whlie, then broke the awkward silence. “Oh, look! It’s getting late. We should be getting to the volcano!”

Mia looked at him, hoping for more of a statement. When she got no more out of him, she started driving toward the volcano. When they got there and climbed the volcano, Sai noticed that he was starting to feel exhaustion from being so close to the heat of the volcano.

“Mia,” he started, hpoing she would be just as understanding, “do you mind if I armor up?”

“No, Sai. I’m surprised it took you this long to ask. I thought you’d want your armor half way up.”

“Thanks, Mia. Armor of Torrent! Tao chi!” The armor forms around him, making him feel powerful and more in control of his emotions. He and Mia both knew that one of them would need to go into the volcano, and Sai wanted it to be him.

He jumped into the volcano, falling along the side wall and occasionally using his trident to slow his descent. When he landed, he couldn’t see anything because of the steam. To remedy this, he picked an area of the wall that he (somehow) knew Hariel couldn’t be near and called on his powers. “Super Wave Smasher!” The cool watery blast cleared the air enough for him to see that no one was in the volcano. Seeing this, he jumped to the top and delivered the disappointing news to Mia.

“Mia, he’s not there. There’s nothing down there except lava. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, Sai. It may already be too late to tell him. I had found a way that he could have restored his body, but I think it’s too late for the technique to work now. Let’s go to your place and get your stuff so you can move in tonight.”

“Actually, I don’t have a place anymore. Take me to the coffee shop in town and I’ll meet you there in an hour or less. Where I’m staying now is no place for a woman, let alone a woman like you. I don’t mean to sound offensive, but it’d be too hard for us to get the guys there to keep their hands off you, even with my armor’s power.”

Upon saying that, Sai powered down and started the climb down the volcano. Mia followed him in silence, surprised that Sai would pick a place so horrible for a home. Then the thought occured to her that Sai might not have had a choice. She then forced herself to conceal a slight whimper and wiped clean the tears that fell from her soft auburn eyes. They left for the city of Toyoma, Sai leaving her at a cofee shop so he could get his stuff.

He made a stop at a house about a half a mile away, coming out with a duffel bag. Clearly, he had lied to Mia about his living arrangements. His next stop was a pay phone. He deposited the money and made his call.

Meanwhile, at Mia and Ryo’s house, the phone rang. Ryo picked up the nearest phone, which was in the hall outside the living room. He stood and listened for a few seconds and said, “Sure. No problem. If Mia’s fine with this, then I don’t mind.” A few more seconds pass, Ryo in silence. The only other words to come from his mouth were, “Okay, then. I’ll see you two when you get home. Bye.”