Disclaimer- I don�t own them nor do I claim to. I�m a poor college student but I have lots of tissue if you want that but they�re kinda gross so you probably don�t.

Wanting For Love

It's been torture for him to have his window right above the door. Mia goes out and comes home late. He is always awake when she comes home. We knew that should would eventually start dating but it has been hardest on him. Mia's blind. She goes out searching for love and gets her heart broken every time while she stares love blindly in the face on a daily basis. Everyday he talks to her, smiles, and even laughs with her but she doesn't see the sadness in his eyes. He's come to each of us crying at least once.

It's gone on like this for months. She comes in with a new boyfriend that we see two or three times before they get into a fight and someone leaves. This last guy has been different though. She's been with him for a month, we rarely see her for more than a minute or two at a time. She's avoiding us but whenever someone askes she insists that everything is wonderful.

Rowen was the first to notice the change in her though. Her long sleeves and jeans in the hottest part of summer when not even he could get away with it any longer. He's had suspicions from the beginning, I guess what I saw will just confirm it. Cye noticed too that she never brings her problems to him anymore... maybe she just found someone else to talk to.

I don't know if our fears are justified, how could I be. I haven't lived through the hell that Rowen survived even before fighting Talpa and I can't read people like Cye. Even Kento knew that something was wrong when she flinched away from one of his bear hugs. Ryo has guessed too but he saw it in the orphanage. All I saw was the extra makeup and the mask she put up for us.

Now it's happened. She came home late, as usual, and got her shower. I don't know why but I got up. I ran into her in the hall and I'm standing here like and idiot. Her pale skin is free of it's makeup but not even the shadows can hide the angry purple bruise. She looks down at the floor in an attempt to hide but I can't let her hide anymore.

" Mia, what happened?"

" It's nothing Sage." she replies averting her eyes.

" A bruise like that isn't nothing." I know what she survived when we fought Talpa. Though she looks frail she doesn't bruise easily.

" I fell at the beach." she lies badly, her eyes tell the truth far better.

" What did you fall on someone's fist? Did Jeremy hit you?" I hated him and knew that there was another who would be out for blood.

Tears slowly trickled down her face," He said that he was sorry, it was just an accident. I made him so mad but he says that he loves me Sage."

" Mia, anyone who could hurt you like that can't really love you." I can see it too now. The sparkle is missing from her eyes as though the hope that was there has died.

" I just wanted to be loved..." she is still crying and it breaks my heart. Should I tell her about him? I have to tell him about this. I hear someone moving, she hears it too. I know that it's him, he's waiting and wondering. Waiting to hear her bedroom door squeek open and snap closed again. Wondering if he will hear her crying again.

" Mia, you don't need him to find love." I shouldn't tell her, he should.

" Sage, I'm afraid to break up with him." the light in her eyes isn't gone yet just dim, dying.

" He won't hurt you again but you have to tell the others." It's going to kill him to know that someone hurt her.

" I'm tired..." She's asking permission to leave.

I move to hug her but she flinches away from my touch," Goodnight, Mia." I watch her flee to her room before returning to mine. I've forgotten why I left before. I turn the light on startling Rowen and Cye, who's been sleeping on the floor. I'm still in shock from my encounter in the hall.

" Sage, What's wrong?" Cye always knows.

Rowen is rubbing his eyes sleepily," Is Mia home yet?"

" Yes," my head hurts and I feel tears burn through the anger," Oh, God, you should see what he has done to her." I see Rowen's long sleeves and know what they used to hide," He beat her up."

" Is she okay?" Cye is always so kind.

" I believe so but let him hear her tears tonight."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm awake again tonight... I'm always awake. Mia went out tonight and now I wait. I'm tire, exhausted, but I can't sleep. She doesn't let me. I know that she is strong, she has had to be. In many ways she's stronger than me. I think that's why I love her but she doesn't realize.

There's the car, She's home and safe. She doesn't see me as anything more than a friend. I'm tired but I still can't sleep. She'll get a shower now and I can imagine the water cascading down her back and through her silky red hair. I won't think about that, won't let my body react. I'll be stone for her.

The shower's off, I hold my breath waiting. I'll sleep soon but first I be sure that she's okay. I still don't hear her door squeak open, if it's a bad night she'll be in the kitchen. I get up to go find her but I hear hushed voices in the hall. she's talking to Sage, I can hear the tears in her voice. Her door squeaks open and before it's closed I hear her tears. They cut my soul like a knife. Sage's door opened and closes, Cye's sleeping in there again.

I can't let her cry alone, She means too much to me. Knocking on the door I hear her tears get pushed down before she allows me to enter. She's always trying to be stronger than she has to be. The door closes silently behind me as I make my way across the solid Oak floor. Her bed is green, the color of Sage's armor. She's sitting on the bed with her hair covering her face. I've only seen her a couple of times this week.

" Mia are you alright?" She's crying, the tears won't stop.

She nods yes but it is and odd motion, as though she has a stiff neck. I try to touch her, just to hold and comfort her but she flinches away from me. Like a deer in the headlights I'm lost. I don't know what I'm gonna do if she hates me so much that she can't bear to touch me.

" Mia..." I'm scared.

As if suddenly animated she flings her arms around me and I catch a glimpse of something on her face.

" Oh, Kento..." She's trembling.

I push her hair back revealing the bruised side of her face. My heart drops to the floor," OhmygodMia What happened?" I know what's happened. Ryo and Rowen warned that it was a possibility. I want to kill him... I want him to know the pain that he caused her.

" I just wanted someone to love me." it's just a whisper but it's a dagger through my soul. I have to tell her but I've lost my voice. Send me against thousands of dynasty soldiers and I have no problem... ask me to face the woman I love and I freeze. She's begun to relax in my arms and her breathing is steady. I know that she's falling asleep.

I regain some fragment of my courage as she drifts into sleep," But Mia... I love you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It hurts... my head is throbbing. It doesn't want to clear. I want to remember, there's someone next to me. He's warm... I remember talking to Sage and crying. He knows, I'm so ashamed.

Sunlight streams in the window, I feel it on my face but I'm afraid to open my eyes. I know it's not Sage, I can't smell his cologne. THis person is different, he smells fresh and clean like freshly turned soil... It's been weeks since I've seen my garden. Maybe Kento has taken care of it, he's so good with plants.

Slowly I open my eyes, a bare chest. It's Kento, I remember now. After talking to Sage I came back here crying. Kento came because I was crying. He always comes... I can depend on him for support. I look up at him, he's so beautiful... without his orange headband his dark hair curls around his forehead. He looks exhausted, as though he hasn't been sleeping well. I know he said something to me last night just as I fell asleep but I can't remember what. I'll have to ask him.

The golden sun is beginning to creep lighting his childlike features. He'll wake soon... I feel so safe. When was the last time I felt safe? His breathing is changing, he's waking up. I wish I knew what he said, it seems so important now.

My whole body hurts but I don't want to think about why, even though I know it's my fault.

" Good morning," His brown eyes seems scared.

" Good morning," my voice sounds strange and my eyes is swollen nearly shut. He reaches out to touch me but I flinch away, I don't mean to. His brown eyes get scared and sad...

I try to sit up but every bruised muscle in my body protests. I must have made a face becuase his arm immediately supports me.

" Mia... What happened? Did Jeremy do this?" he's so kind but something is different.

All I can do is nod and let my hair fall over my face hiding my shame. I've found my voice cowering in the corner," He said that he was sorry, It was an accident." I'm making excuses for him, I don't even believe them.

" No one should ever be allowed to hurt you." He's reaching out again and even though I want to be held I flinch away from him. It hurts him.

" I'm sorry... I didn't mean to." It sounds lame in my ears and I can feel tears welling up in my eyes again. He's growing distant... I don't understand, what have I done? There's so much shame... maybe I deserve what Jeremy did to me.

" Let's go down to breakfast." he gets up and offers me his hand but the phone rings, I have to answer it.

" Hello?"

~Hi Mia... did I wake you honey? Listen, I just wanted to say i'm sorry if I hurt you last night... It was an accident. I wanna make it up to you, I'll pick you up in a couple of hours for an early lunch~

Kento is watching me, his face is filled with concern," I'm sorry Jeremy. I don't want to see you again."

~That's not acceptable Mia. I won't let yo do this to me. I will see you in two hours, you better be ready.~ He's angry again... I can't stop my hand from trembling. The phone hits the floor with an empty thud as tears, hot with fear, burn down my cheeks.

Kento's right here, steadying my hands, brushing away tears. His hands are so big but gentle. Still, he seems distant. What have I done to make him so distant?

�Let�s go down to breakfast," I try to stand but my legs protest, they don't want to hold me up. Kento supports me. His arm is strong, I can feel the muscles move against me back," Kento, he's coming... I don't want... I'm scared of him."

" I won't let him hurt you." There's something in his eyes that I don't understand, he seems so sad.

Walking down the hall he keeps a gentle hand on my back, it's reassuring. Behind us, I hear a door open so I let my hair fall over the bruises on my face... force of habit. I'm not ready to face them...

�Morning guys," It's Ryo; he's in a good mood," Hey Mia."

I'm not ready for this but I know I have to tell them. I can't avoid it or hide any longer. Wonderful smells are drifting from the kitchen; my stomach reminds me that I haven't been eating the way I should. Sage is waiting for us. I still keep my hair down, covering my face. Sage pulled a chair out for me; somehow I end up in it.

�How are you feeling Mia?" Sage isn't much help... My head hurts still and it isn't going to get much better.

I find myself pushing tears down, I won't let them see me cry," I'm sore," When I lift my head I hear Cye gasp. Sage went through the shock last night; He and Cye are the only one's who have never seen someone beat up.

�Mia, why didn't you come to us before this?" Ryo is still playing my big brother but I don't mind.

Rowen's my savior, setting two Tylenol and a glass of orange juice in front of me," This will help clear your head."

" Thank you." I quickly down the pills before answering Ryo," I was embarrassed." It's lame but I have no other reason. Cye set a plate full of food in front of me.

�You haven't been eating very well," Cye always notices things," You've lost a lot of weight."

I know he's right," I just haven't been very hungry." I pick at my food.

�Mia, was that Jeremy on the phone this morning?" Sage looks worried.

I try to nod but my neck is stiff," I told him that I don't want to see him again," I can't stop trembling," He's mad, He's coming and I'm... I'm afraid." Kento's hand is on my shoulder. He stands in the background, my silent support, but he's become so distant today.

�We won't let him hurt you again." he's the rock that I've been leaning on.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

everyone has become silent, thoughtful, as though they're afraid to speak. Cye finishes passing plates around the table before sitting down across from me. He looks exhausted, as though he hasn't been sleeping well either. I wonder what's going on in that room. Cye and Kento are usually the least likely to fight.

As I look around the room I see that nearly everyone is eating. Kento is pushing his food around on the plate... unusual for him. After a couple of bites I push my plate away, I'm not hungry.

�I�m gonna go get dressed," Everyone looks up and Rowen touches my hand. I flinch away, bumping into Kento who steadies me.

" Hey Mia," Rowen understands I think," No more hiding please." His blue eyes are very concerned.

�Alright," My legs are still a little wobbly under me but I can walk alone.

In my room I sit down in front of the mirror. My right eye is swollen and my cheek is purple. Beneath my bangs I have a long gash. Brushing through my hair I can see the bruises on my neck from his fingers. I put my hair back for the first time in nearly a month.

When I'm done I quickly get dressed. I'm sore so I choose a loose pair of jeans and a huge sweatshirt that I stole from Kento. He's acting so strange, I'll have to ask Cye.

A car just pulled in, it must be Jeremy... I'm so scared. At least my head is clear now. I'm afraid of what the guys might do, so I hurry down the stairs.

Cye, being the calmest of the group, answered the door but Jeremy's not willing to leave. I can hear him getting louder and I start trembling.

�Cye," I know I have to face this," I'll talk to him if you guys come with me," He see's my fear, but I have to do this and he knows it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



" Mia... Mia come out here and let's talk this out." He sounds so sincere but I know better now.

Sage and Rowen join Cye at the doorway; I know that they're angry. They lead the way out while Ryo and Kento act as my own personal body guards. Jeremy's angry too, I can hear it in his voice.

�Oh come on Mia. Is this really necessary? Do they have to be here? I just wanna talk." I know how he talks; I'll always bear the scars of his words.

�I�m through talking with you Jeremy. I told you I don't want to see you again.

�Mia, I said I'm sorry, what more do you want?" I push through the five guys and without thinking get right into his face. My hand rings against his cheek.

�You should leave now." It's Kento with his arm around my shoulder, lending me strength.

�Not till I talk to her." he tries to grab my hair but Kento's fist makes contact just at his fingers brush my ponytail. Kento's ready to keep going.

�Kento, No, he's not worth it." I grab his arm and he comes away without a fight but Jeremy isn't backing down.

�This is your fault! You've turned her against me!" Cye is closest to him and he grabs Cye's shoulder. Cye easily dodges the sloppy punch from Jeremy. I've never seen Cye so angry before...

Cye's counter attack leaves Jeremy on his knees," Stay down, leave, and never come back." his fist are clenched so tight the knuckles are white.

Looking around I can see that he's not the only one. Ryo has his back turned to Jeremy and I can see the fire in his eyes. He wants Jeremy to try and hit him, give him an excuse to hurt him. Sage is out for blood; his stance and posture say it all. Jeremy would have been better off hitting one of them instead of me, it would have been safer.

Rowen is different, as though he's afraid to show how he feels. His face is calm, passive. There is no hate or anger in his eyes only something I don't understand. He's placed himself between Jeremy and me and Kento.

Jeremy hasn't moved but he's ready to. He's coiling his strength under himself, preparing to pounce and strike like the snake he is. Sorry Sekhmet...

Kento's pulling me away, begging me to go inside but as I turn away he chooses to strike at Rowen, who looks most vulnerable.

Ryo, Sage, and Cye finish closing him in and Jeremy doesn't realize that he's trapped. Cye and Ryo grab him from behind, he's trying to intimidate Rowen and in his surprise he squeaks... The first time he shook me, I made that sound. Kento wants me to go inside, not see what they're going to do but I wanna stay. I want him to know the fear, know the pain...

�I hear you like to hurt defenseless women." Sage's one violet eye is nearly white and lightning flashes behind its depths. Sage's fist impacts with Jeremy's stomach. While Sage continues to hit him Ryo and Cye hold him up. I'm clinging to Kento as reality sets in. Kento's arm is around my waist holding me up, giving me support.

When Sage steps back I can see Jeremy bleeding. I've seen enough...

�Kento, let's go inside." my voice is little more than a whisper.

Rowen is taking his turn as we walk towards the mansion.

�Mia... Mia you can't just leave me like this!" Jeremy screams at me. I have to turn around. If I don't I'll be afraid forever. Sage and Rowen step back as I approach.

�Why can't I?" I'm angry but it hurts...

�Because I loved you." I hate him even more.

�If this is love than I don't want anyone to love me." I feel my fist make contact with his face before turning and running into Kento. My knees buckle under me, his arms wrap around me and he lifts me gently, as though he's afraid that I'll break.

�It�s all right now Mia." It's the last thing I hear before everything goes black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so proud of Mia. It's hard to face someone that hurt you. I'm worried about her though... She's never fainted before but she hasn't been taking care of herself either. I bet she doesn't even weigh one hundred pounds. She looks like she'll break like glass.

Whiteblaze is coming up behind Ryo, Jeremy, and Cye, I can't help but grin. Sage follows my line of sight and nods.

�You like to make people fear you..." Whiteblaze won't hurt him," Whiteblaze, this is the guy who hurt Mia." From the look on his face Mia told him about Whiteblaze. I hit him one last time before taking Cye's place. Sage takes Ryo's place and Whiteblaze snarls at Jeremy.

Cye's eyes are frightening. It's as though a great storm has crossed over them. I've never seen him so angry... Cye steps up first. Each motion is restrained; we don't wanna kill him... After a few hits Cye backs away slightly stunned by his own behavior but not regretting it. Whiteblaze walks up and sniffs Jeremy, who screams and begins crying. Whiteblaze just snarls and walks away leaving Ryo to deal with him.

Ryo signals for us to release him. When we do, Jeremy stands up slowly. Before he can move Ryo has him by the throat slamming him up against his truck. The light in Ryo's eyes is dangerous...

�If you ever come near her again they won't find your body... If I ever hear that you even raised you hand to another woman you�ll have to deal with Whiteblaze. Is that clear?" Jeremy nods, he can't breathe enough to talk.

Ryo drops him and we all walk back to the mansion to check on Mia.

When we get in there Kento is kneeling on the floor next to the couch where Mia is propped up on pillows with a glass of orange juice. She looks pale and Kento looks worried.

�Mia, you've gotta start eating better." Kento's holding her hand. I hope he finally tells her the truth," You hardly weigh anything at all..."

�I know." she's looking down and he touches her chin to lift it up.

�Mia, I love you... I don't want to see you hurt or sick." I'm glad he finally told her. I think that maybe things will get better around here now.