Dark Ronin - The Woman with No Master

Chapter 9

Walking through the light brown sliding door, I met Ryuu sitting crisscross on his yellow embroidered, plush mat facing the door. He was staring straight at me with a slick smile on his face and shirtless; all of his built biceps and 8 pack showed. He reminded me of Channing Tatum but better. Well, built was not a word for what I was looking at; and I never knew he was this bluff since the last time he was shirtless around me was before the night my brother died and I earned a scar on my back.

 I always hated the scar because it reminded me of that night. And Ryuu was the only one who understood; so to make sure I didn't feel uncomfortable, he always wore a shirt around me. 

"I guess knocking is beyond your abilities?" he rhetorically asked with an aroused left eyebrow. Sucking my teeth, I waved him off and plopped beside him. "Your floor is hard, no wonder your butt is so stiff. You like sitting on concrete?" I said as a matter of fact, then sighed and shook my head. He laughed and rolled his eyes; meanwhile, I snatched his torn black shirt, with a white dragon head design, off the short wooden drawer. 

I had bring my needle kit and was about to start stitching; but out of the blue, he gripped my hand. "What's up?" I asked, worries clawing my face; shaking his head, he looked towards the ground. Slipping my hand from under his, I placed the large shirt on the floor (determined to repair it) and turned towards him. I crawled in front of him and sat crisscrossed. 

 "You okay, you've been acting different since we got here. Did I miss something?" I exclaimed peering at his troubled forehead. His head slowly jumped up and his eyes chained mine; it shocked me, my eyes started  bulging. He started with a big sigh, a failed attempt to calm his strict features; "I wanna ask you something, but hear me out first. You don't have to answer, just listen. And don't say a word." 

I looked on with confusion; he could sense it, but dismissed it. "When I was given up, living and taking care of myself, I always felt that I needed to be alone. I had no friends and didn't try to make any; all people were the same to me. I saw the many happy couples and families. I figured it was something I wasn't made for, that there was no real or logical reason for love. I thought of it as luxury I could not afford. I enclosed myself and heart in a fortress, but I still dealt with wars. There was a whole in my heart I couldn't fill neither explain." he paused,"I felt helpless and like nothing. But when I met you for the first time, everything changed. At first, I thought it was just a crush; I mean, I was only 10. But being with you, it grew into something more than just a crush. I felt a drive for life, a reason to live for the first time. I couldn't understand it before but I do now. I felt like I would give anything to protect you; and that I wouldn't let you suffer through anymore scars and hatred people bared for you. You're aggravating, smart, and hardheaded; and I know you have the best interest at for even those who hurt you. I noticed you were a lot like me, but stronger. You went through more than I could imagine, and still smile. You gave me hope, faith, and light through everything I went through; and a drive for better. You asked me what was wrong; there's nothing wrong. I just found a simple answer to all my millions of questions I wore for a long time. When Jacob started flirting with you, I felt an anger that I couldn't understand myself. But the Prince opened my eyes and the Princess made it clearer. You're my missing piece; you fill me. And I know your fears, and I won't push you, even if you take a million years. I am ready to wait for as long as it takes. Even if you say no, I'll let it be. You don't even have to answer; matter of fact, I won't even ask. As long as I know you're okay, that's all I need," he quickly blurted in almost one breath. 

As he spoke, my heart ached because I didn't know what to do or say. I was already a confused mess; why he had to add more?! I grabbed the torn shirt while my head hung low. After a small pause, he lightly placed his hand on my cheek, pushed my hair back and stated, "I love you, Utsuku."